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City  Homes 
On   Country  Lanes 

Philosophy  and  Practice  of 
,the    Home- in- a -Garden 
by  WuLiAM  E.  Smythe 

TRILOGY  OF  THE  NEW  EARTH 

THIS  volume  is  the  first  of  three  books  designed  to 
deal  with  one  general  theme.  Together,  it  is  hoped 
they  will  present  a  practical  programme  for  the  making 
of  what,  in  a  spiritual  sense,  at  least,  may  well  be  char- 
acterized as  the  NEW  EARTH — which,  of  course,  could 
be  nothing  but  new  ways  of  using  the  Old  Earth,  to  the 
end  that  it  may  in  time  produce  a  great  new  crop  of  homes 
and  institutions. 

This  is  the  programme: 

1.  GARDEN  CITIES  for  millions  of  country-minded 
now  hived  in  flats  and  apartments,  yet  hungering  for  some 
touch  of  the  open  spaces  and  for  homes  all  their  own,  even 
while  retaining  their  interest  in  urban  business  or  em- 
ployment.    (The    present    book    deals    with    this    phase.) 

2.  LITTLE-LANDS  for  those  who,  while  looking  to 
the  soil  for  a  livelihood,  think  first  of  security  and  con- 
tentment, and  seek  it  in  very  intensive  use  of  the  land 
and  the  cultivation  of  specialties  yielding  good  income 
from  small  holdings.  This  is  not  "farming,"  but  little- 
landing.  It  is  a  distinct  department  of  life  on  the  land — 
one  destined  to  take  on  vast  proportions. 

3.  RURAL  SETTLEMENT,  (40  acres  and  upward) 
in  accordance  with  the  highest  modern  ideals  as  repre- 
sented in  various  foreign  countries,  notably  Australia,  and 
adapted  and  improved  by  California  statesmanship. 
The  broadest  application  of  these  principles  involves  the 
creation  of  what  is  nothing  less  than  a  new  Homestead 
Policy  and  the  making  over  of  America  on  the  soil.  It 
calls  for  governmental  leadership,  State  and  National. 

Each  of  these  lines  of  development  constitute  an  in- 
tegral part  of  a  programme  which,  taken  as  a  whole, 
should  be  the  making  and  the  saving  of  the  America  of 
Tomorrow. 

THE  MACMILLAN  COMPANY 
64-66  Fifth  Avenue  New  York  City 


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in  2008  with  funding  from 

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CITY  HOMES  ON  COUNTRY  LANES 


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THE    MACMILLAN    COMPANY 

NEW  YORK    •    BOSTON    •    CHICAGO    •    DALLAS 
ATLANTA    •    SAN   FRANCISCO 

MACMILLAN  &  CO..  Limited 

LONDON    •    BOMBAY    ■    CALCUTTA 
MELBOURNE 

THE  MACMILLAN  CO.  OP  CANADA.  Ltd. 

TORONTO 


lii:i(    iioMi;-i\- A  I,  \i(i)i  \ 


CITY  HOMES 
ON  COUNTRY  LANES 

PHILOSOPHY    AND    PRACTICE    OF    THE 
HOME-IN-A-GARDEN 


BY 


WILLIAM  E.  SMYTHE 

AtlTIIOR     OF 
"the    CONttUEST    OF    ARID    AMERICA," 

"constructive   democracy,"   etc 


Jl3eto  l^ork 

THE  MACMILLAN  COMPANY 
1921 

All  rights  reserved 


PRINTED   IN   THE   UNITED   STATES   OF   AMERICA 


COPYKIOHT,    1921, 

Bt  the  macmillan  company. 


Set  up   and  printed.     Publisned   October,    1921. 


Press  of 
J.   Little  &  Ives  Company 
New  York,  U.  S.  A. 


HT 


TO  MEMORY 
"ANNISQUAM' 


FOREWORD 

I  am  an  optimist. 

I  believe  the  world  is  going  to  be  a  better  world  for 
our  common  humanity  in  the  next  decade — the  next 
generation — the  next  century — than  ever  before  in  the 
long  history  of  the  race.  And  I  believe  the  next  passion 
of  mankind  will  be  for  the  soil — that  there  we  shall 
"take  Occasion  by  the  hand  and  make  the  bounds  of 
freedom  wider  yet."  But,  if  there  is  to  be  a  transition 
in  the  life  of  the  land — if  new  forms  of  industry  and 
society  are  to  emerge — then  this  will  be  due  to  the  fact 
that  the  old  life  on  the  land  has  failed,  is  breaking  down, 
and  is  doomed  to  pass  away. 

That  is  what  I  believe  to  be  true.  In  saying  so,  I 
sound  no  note  of  pessimism,  but  rather  the  note  of  hope, 
of  confidence,  of  boundless  faith  in  what  the  future  is 
to  bring  forth.  I  know  the  land  is  to  be  the  healing 
and  the  saving  of  the  people — of  our  people  and  of  all 
the  peoples. 

There  is  no  other  refuge. 

But  before  we  can  build  the  new  life  we  must  clearly 
understand  that  the  old  life  has  failed,  and  xchif  it  has 
failed.  Then  we  must  proceed  to  discover  the  principles 
upon  which  tlie  new  and  better  life  is  to  be  founded. 
In  doing  so,  must  we  not  inevitably  draw  nearer  to  the 

vii 


viii  ,  Foreword 

Divine  Purpose  in  making  the  goodly  earth  and  setting 
man  in  the  midst  of  it  ?  And  shall  we  not  thereby  evolve 
the  Spiritual  Man  of  the  Soil,  who,  conscious  of  his 
partnership  ^vitli  God,  enters  at  last  into  his  true 
dominion  ? 

Cosmos  Club, 

Washington,  D.  C. 


CONTENTS 


Foreword 

Prologue:     The    Inspiration 


FAOa 

vii 


I. 
II. 

III. 
IV. 

V. 

VI. 

VII. 

VIII. 

IX. 

X. 

XI. 

XII. 

XIII. 


PART    ONE 

THE  WAY  OF  LIFE 
Digging  to  the  Roots  of  a  Dying  Tree        11 


The   Leading   of  the   False  God,  Pro 
DUCTION 


"A  Plague  on  Both  Your  Houses" 

Getting   the    Rural    Savor   into    City 
Life 


The  Invisible  City  of  Homes     . 

Garden  Instinct  Revealed  by  War 

"The  Most  Valuable  of  All  Arts" 

The  Dawning  of  the  New  Art    . 

Luther  Burbank  and  the  New  Earth 

The  Spirit  of  Creative  Gardening  . 

The  Old  Hen  in  a  New  Environment 

The  Rabbit  in  the  Garden  Economy 

Broiled  Squab,  and  That  Sort  of  Thing 
ix 


43 
53 

57 

65 

75 

83 

96 

103 

116 

123 

133 

142 


:  Contents 

CHAPTER  PAOK 

XIV.      "And  Thou  Shalt  Have  Goat's  Milk"  149 

XV.     The  Honeybee  and  the  Sugar-Bowl     .  157 

XVI.     The  Elusive  Mushroom 162 

XVII.     The  Luxurious  Table  in  Review     .      .  167 

XVIII.     Social  Life  of  the  Garden  City     .      .  171 

XIX.     The  Personal  Equation 181 

PART  two 
THE  CONSTRUCTIVE  PROGRAMME 

I.      The  Age  of  the  Engineer     .       .       ,       .  195 

II.     What     the     Government     Owes     the 

People 201 

III.  The  Organization  of  a  Garden  City     .  211 

IV.  The  Garden  City  and  the  Farm  City    .  219 

PART  three 
MECHANICS  OF  THE  GARDEN  HOME 

I.     Making  the  Soil  Over 227 

II.     How  to  Have  a  Good  Garden     .      .      .  232 
III.     The  Winter  Food  Supply      ....  240 
IV.     Live  Stock  of  the  Garden  Home     .      .  25G 
V.     The  Best  Teachers — Example  and  Ex- 
perience      263 

Index      • 269 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 

Her  Home-in-a-Garden Frontispiece 

PAGE 

Franklin  K.  Lane 26 

Charles  Lathrop  Pack 78 

A  Prize-Winning  War  Garden 86 

Intensive  Use  of  a  City  Lot 98 

Luther  Burbank 106 

Intensive  Poultry  Culture 126 

Rabbits  for  Meat  and  Fur 134 

Two  Favorite  Breeds  and  Their  Housing      .      .      .  140 

Intensive  Cultivation  of  the  Market  Squab     .       .       .  146 

Popular  Breeds  of  Swiss  Goats 150 

The  Milk  Goat  Is  Ideal  for  the  Garden  Home   .       .  154 

The  Common  Hearthstone 170 

Living  Usefully  at  Eighty-One 184 

Serving  Her  Country  at  Over  Ninety        .       .       .       .  188 

The  Cooperative  Department  Store 216 

'Envoi 268 


PROLOGUE 


Of  what  avail 
Are  plow,  or  sail. 

Or  land,  or  life. 
If  Freedom  fail? 

Emerson. 


PART   ONE 

The  Way  of  Life 


CITY  HOMES  ON  COUNTRY 
LANES 


PROLOGUE 


THE    INSPIRATION 


"True  dignity  abides  with  her  alone, 
Who   in  the  silent  hour  of  inward  thought, 
Can  still  respect,  can  still  revere,  herself, 
In   lowliness   of  heart." 

Wordsworth. 

THERE  once  lived  a  very  noble  woman  who  shared 
with  me  the  dream  of  a  new  and  better  life  to  be 
realized  on  the  soil,  and  who,  in  her  own  sphere 
of  action,  did  what  she  could  to  bring  the  ideal  to  pass. 
For  many  years  she  was  vicariously  associated  with 
a  great  public  movement  that  transformed  deserts  into 
gardens  and  filled  the  waste  places  with  homes.  But 
usually  she  came  first,  and,  after  her,  the  homes  and 
gardens.  Hers  was  the  era  of  the  unbuilt  house,  of 
the  unplanted  ivy  and  roses,  of  the  untamed  soil,  of  the 
new  hopes  that  struggled  up  toward  the  light  through 
thickets  of  sagebrush  and  mcsquite  and  cactus. 

Often  she  found  herself  in  poor  frail  cabins  on  the 
desert  claims,  and  often  she  mingled  her  tears  with 
the  tears  of  lonely  pioneer  women  who  could  not  see 

1 


2  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

the  glory  that  was  to  be — perhaps  because  of  the  clouds 
of  dust  that  came  swirling  from  the  treeless  land.  So 
she  wept  with  the  women,  laughed  with  the  children,  and 
shared  with  the  sturdy,  ambitious  men  the  hope  of 
independence  that  sustained  them  in  their  struggle  with 
the  grim  old  desert.  But  these  experiences  always  left 
her  sad.  "It  is  fine  for  the  men,"  she  would  say ;  "they 
see  their  chance  for  achievement.  But  it  is  hard  for  the 
women — hard."  And  she  felt  there  must  be  a  way  to 
soften,  to  ameliorate,  the  lot  of  the  pioneer  woman. 

Fate  made  her  at  length  a  pioneer  woman  herself — 
the  First  Lady  of  a  settlement  embarked  upon  the  most 
daring  adventure  of  all,  dedicated  to  the  proposition 
of  "a  little  land  and  a  living"  with  the  smallest  unit 
ever  adopted  by  any  considerable  number  of  families  at 
one  time  and  place.  She  did  not  shrink  from  her  duty, 
ner  opportunity,  but  met  it  more  than  half-way  with 
outstretched  hand.  "Now,"  she  said,  "we  shall  see  if  it 
is  possible  to  bring  a  Httle  sunshine  into  the  lives  of  the 
women,  while  the  men  are  showing  us  what  they  can  do 
on  the  land." 

The  amount  of  money  available  for  the  building  of 
her  home  was  small ;  the  hope  of  a  clubhouse,  suited  to 
her  plan,  remote.  In  this  dilemma,  she  put  nine-tenths 
of  her  building  fund  into  a  single  beautiful  room, 
ideally  adapted  to  social  purposes.  For  the  rest  of 
her  home — tents ;  nice,  roomy  tents,  connected  by  cov- 
ered passages,  and  supplied  with  floors,  windows  and 
doors;  so  that  in  a  benign  climate,  where  shelter  is 
almost  negligible,  it  made  a  livable  and  attractive 
"camp."  Even  so,  it  represented  a  sacrifice  of  personal 
comfort  in  the  interest  of  her  numerous  neighbors. 


The  Inspiration  S 

Festivities  began  with  the  "house-warming,"  which  oc- 
curred even  before  the  roads  were  made,  though  twenty 
or  thirty  homes  were  built,  and  others  under  way.  It 
happened  to  be  a  Fourth  of  July — the  flag  had  been 
broken  out  on  the  tall  staff  for  the  first  time  at  dawn — 
and  fireworks  lighted  the  way  for  the  settlers  as  they 
came  through  the  sagebrush,  or  new-plowed  fields.  In 
spite  of  the  season,  it  was  cool  enough,  in  that  land  of 
divine  nights,  to  justify  a  modest  blaze  in  the  great 
cobblestone  chimney,  in  token  of  hospitality.  Every- 
body came  in  the  best  they  had.  Even  dress-suits  were 
worn  by  those  who  had  them. 

The  affair  was  more  than  a  "house-warming,"  more 
than  a  social  function.  It  sounded  a  new  note — a  note 
of  absolute  democratic  fellowship,  for  everybody  was 
formally  invited  and  everybody  came;  a  note,  too,  of 
distinction,  for  it  was  then  and  there  understood  that 
the  social  and  intellectual  life  of  the  community  was 
to  be  placed  on  the  highest  possible  plane,  and  stead- 
fastly maintained  at  that  level.  Moreover,  it  was  an- 
nounced that  on  the  following  Thursday  afternoon,  and 
every  Thursday  thereafter,  the  hostess  would  receive 
the  ladies  of  the  community  in  her  big  reception  room ; 
that  every  lady  was  cordially  invited ;  that  these  affairs 
were  designed  to  be  as  fine  in  all  respects  as  they  would 
be  in  any  town  or  city  of  the  land;  and  that  in  that 
spirit  each  person  was  urged  to  do  her  part. 

And  the  ladies  responded  with  alacrity  and  the  utmost 
good  will.  There  were  no  absentees ;  no  one  was  ever 
tardy;  no  one  ever  wore  less  than  her  best.  Among 
them  were  wives  of  professional  and  business  men  of 
liberal  culture  and  wide  social  experience.     There  were 


4  City  Homes  on  CouTitry  Lanes 

others  who  were  strangers  to  such  functions.  All  met 
the  same  warm  hand-clasp  and  gracious  smile  at  the 
wide-flung  door;  all  were  soon  equally  at  ease.  The 
flowers,  the  music,  the  games,  the  refreshments,  the 
favors,  were  precisely  what  the  hostess  would  provide 
if  she  lived  in  town,  or  on  a  lordly  country  estate,  in- 
stead of  in  a  humble  "camp"  on  the  side  of  a  sagebrush 
liill.  And  she  made  those  pioneer  women  happy — filled 
their  cup  to  the  brim.  One  of  them  remarked:  "It's 
worth  all  the  work  and  worry  of  the  week,  just  to  be 
here  on  Thursday  afternoon."  It  was  not  simply  the 
good  times — it  was  the  leveling  of  all  social  barriers, 
the  striving  for  the  very  best  there  is  in  life. 

The  influence  thus  projected  did  not  stop  with  one 
afternoon  in  the  week,  nor  with  the  women  alone.  It 
spiritualized  the  whole  community.  It  elevated  the 
public  meetings  in  the  rude  town  hall,  setting  a  high 
standard  for  all  entertainments,  and  all  meetings  of  an 
intellectual  or  social  character.  It  overflowed  into  the 
front  gardens  and  beautified  them  with  flowers,  some 
of  them  still  fragrant  with  roses  and  tender  with  vines 
given  by  the  gracious  lady  on  the  hillside.  For,  as 
her  own  love  was  perennial,  so  she  loved  to  give  her 
friends  perennial  plants  that  should  fill  the  air  with 
fragrance  year  after  year.  Yes,  some  of  them  are 
blooming  yet ;  and  they  do  not  forget  her.  They  have 
long  memories — those  roses  ! 

I  tell  this  story  of  tlie  beginnings  of  our  New  Earth 
—the  New  Eartli  that  is  to  bring  security  and  content- 
ment to  millions— because  it  illustrates  a  deep  social 
principle,  the  absence  of  whicli  has  had  its  part  in  the 
decadence  of  American   rural   life;   also,   for  another 


Tlie  Inspiration  6 

reason  of  equal  importance — the  fact  that  it  brought 
forth  a  noble  phrase  that  immensely  widens  our  hori- 
zons. 

The  first  experience  in  social  upbuilding  was  fol- 
lowed in  two  other  communities  under  the  same  leader- 
ship ;  then  came  a  period  devoted  to  the  intensive  culti- 
vation of  the  ideal  by  other  means.  One  day  near  the 
close  of  her  mortal  life — the  Pale  Horse  and  his  Rider 
were  even  then  on  the  road  and  rapidly  approaching — 
she  walked  into  my  library  and  laid  a  slip  of  paper  on 
the  desk  with  the  smiling  request :  "Some  time  when  you 
feel  just  like  it,  please  write  something  for  me  with 
that  title."    I  looked  and  read  the  cryptic  words : 

''The  Dignity  of  the  New  Earth" 

It  was  a  revelation,  and  to  me  a  startling  revelation 
■ — not  only  of  the  depth  of  her  own  thought,  but  of  the 
broad  metaphysical  basis  of  our  work  and  our  ideals. 

This,  then,  is  her  chapter,  as  nearly  as  it  is  possible 
to  approximate  her  thought  and  language: 

I  was  reared  in  an  old  New  England  town.  As  a 
child,  I  loved  a  certain  street  which  was  filled  with  fine 
old  homes  setting  well  back  from  the  rows  of  stately 
elms.  These  were  the  homes  of  our  old  families.  They 
seemed  enviable  to  me,  not  because  of  their  luxury,  for 
most  of  them  were  not  at  all  palatial,  but  because  of 
their  dignity — a  dignity  attaching  to  their  age  and 
permanence. 

In  these  homes  children  were  bom  and  grew  up. 
And  in  these  homes  the  children's  children  were  l)orn 
and  grew  up.  So  it  had  been  for  generations ;  and,  in 
a  few  cases  at  least,  for  two  centuries.     To  my  childish 


6  City  Homes  on  Count ry  Lanes 

mind  there  was  no  dignity  like  the  dignity  of  a  perma- 
nent family  home  from  which  all  members  of  the  house- 
hold went  forth  into  the  world,  and  to  which  they 
might  all  come  back  on  occasion. 

To  me  the  contrast  between  the  repose  of  that  street 
of  old  family  homes  and  the  restlessness  of  newer  sec- 
tions was  always  very  striking.  It  was  an  industrial 
town  that  grew  rapidly.  As  factories  multiplied,  new 
population  flowed  in;  at  first  from  the  surrounding 
country  and  then  from  foreign  parts,  until  the  number 
of  languages  spoken  was  amazing.  This  new  popula- 
tion was  mostly  of  floating  character.  It  was  housed 
in  crowded  tenements.  The  part  of  the  town  where  it 
lived  tended  toward  slum  conditions.  It  was,  of  course, 
the  very  opposite  of  the  street  of  old  family  homes. 
The  gulf  between  them  was  not  wealth  and  poverty. 
It  was  a  far  deeper  gulf.  It  was  dignity  and  the  lack 
of  dignity,  and  that  is  a  matter  of  character,  not  of 
worldly  possessions.  But  environment  and  training 
have  everything  to  do  with  character. 

The  lesson  borne  in  upon  me  was  that  ownership 
and  permanence  of  the  home  are  essential  to  the  highest 
dignity  of  life.  Now  it  oddly  happened  that  I  was 
never  to  know  these  advantages  in  my  own  experience. 
While  we  owned  more  than  one  home  in  the  course  of 
our  lives,  they  were  only  temporary,  because  it  was  of 
the  nature  of  our  work  tluit  we  should  be  constantly 
on  the  move.  This  work  had  to  do  with  the  making  of 
homes  for  thousands  of  people  in  many  States.  I  have 
always  thought  of  it  as  evangelical  work,  and  of  my 
husband  as  an  evangelist  of  the  Peter-the-Hermit  sort. 

My  longing  was   for  a  home  that  might  become  a 


The  Inspiration  7 

family  shrine,  where  my  children  and  grandchildren 
might  come  after  me.  In  the  defeat  of  my  own  hopes  I 
became  passionately  attached  to  this  hope  for  others — 
for  our  country  and  the  world.  To  make  such  a  hope 
possible  of  realization,  I  came  to  see  that  there  must  be 
a  New  Earth,  or  rather  a  new  conception  of  the  earth 
in  its  relation  to  the  home. 

As  our  work  unfolded  over  a  period  of  more  than  a 
quarter  of  a  century,  I  thought  I  saw  the  dawning  of 
the  New  Earth  in  the  very  humblest  way  in  a  pioneer 
settlement  where  we  went  to  live  and  work  with  the 
people  who  shared  our  hopes.  Everything  was  very 
crude,  my  own  home  with  the  rest,  yet,  I  could  see  in  the 
little  homes  all  about  me  that  street  of  my  childhood's 
fancy  in  the  old  New  England  town ;  and  I  could  look 
beyond  the  crude  beginnings  to  the  time  when  the  same 
quality  of  dignity,  growing  out  of  the  same  laws,  would 
become  the  possession  of  the  many. 

The  New  Earth,  as  I  think  of  it,  begins  with  the 
recognition  that  it  is  God's  gracious  provision  for  man, 
and  as  such  too  sacred  for  any  purpose  except  to  serve 
the  needs  of  humanity.  That  conception  rules  out 
speculation.  To  put  a  price  on  land  beyond  fair  com- 
pensation is  unjust  and  really  nothing  less  than  an  at- 
tempt to  repeal  a  great  law  of  God,  and  defeat  His 
ends.  This,  too,  from  so  low  a  motive  as  selfishness — a 
selfishness  to  be  paid  for  by  woman's  toil  and  tears 
and  by  innocent  children  deprived  of  their  heritage. 

When  we  comprehend  the  ideals  of  the  New  Earth  in 
all  their  purity  and  beauty  we  shall  strive  to  make  the 
most  of  it  in  every  way,  and  the  measure  of  our  success 
will  be  the  amount  of  human  happiness  thereby  created. 


8  C^ty  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

To  my  mind,  these  hopes  are  inseparably  bound  up  with 
the  dignity  of  mankind — its  capacity  for  self-respect, 
its  worthiness  in  every  sense,  its  elevation  of  thought, 
bearing  and  conduct. 

The  next  attribute  of  the  New  Earth  is  workmanship. 
It  is  not  to  be  like  the  slovenly  industry  I  have  often 
seen  on  many  farms  that  so  evidently  belonged  to  the 
Old  Earth  where  pride  of  workmanship  was  wholly 
absent. 

Pride  and  Dignity — these  are  twin  sisters.  I  mean 
the  kind  of  pride  that  springs  from  worthiness,  that 
scorns  things  mean  and  low,  and  most  of  all  scorns 
them  in  ourselves. 

The  New  Earth  is  to  be  the  object  of  loving  care 
as  much  as  our  children.  It  begets  a  new  spirit  that  is 
born  of  ownership,  of  the  thought  that  here  on  this 
spot  of  land  I  will  rear  a  family  roof  tree;  that  here 
my  children  will  come  in  future  years,  and  after  them 
their  children,  and  their  children's  cliildren;  and  that 
thus  the  generations  that  trace  back  to  me  will  enjoy 
the  shade  of  my  planting,  the  shelter  raised  by  my 
thoughtful  care  for  the  future.  Could  anything  so 
elevate,  so  dignify,  the  labor  of  the  pioneer.?  Could 
anything  so  invest  it  with  a  skill  and  a  forethought  sur- 
passing all  human  skill  and  forethought  and  reflecting 
the  Divine  Intelligence.'* 

Beyond  the  individual  and  family  life  hes  the  life 
of  the  community.  It  is  here  I  see  the  widest  possibili- 
ties of  the  New  Earth.  It  is  here  that  the  manifestation 
of  I.ove  will  be  highest  because  it  loses  much  of  its 
selfishness  in  the  thought  of  the  Common  Good. 

In  my  own  experience  I  was  often  disappointed  in 


The  Inspiration  9 

the  expression  of  our  ideals  at  the  hands  of  individuals, 
but  almost  never  disappointed  by  their  expression  at 
the  hands  of  the  community.  If  ever  in  the  midst  of 
our  crude  surroundings  I  have  caught  a  glimpse  of 
"the  Light  that  Never  was  on  Sea  or  Land"  it  was 
when  a  number  of  us  were  gathered  together  and  giving 
expression  to  the  ideals  of  the  New  Earth.  I  think — 
indeed,  I  know — that  tlien  for  fleeting  moments  we  lived 
in  the  great  life  of  the  future,  though  of  course  we  only 
touched  the  hem  of  the  garment. 

The  spiritual  outgrowth  of  the  conditions  that  the 
New  Earth  provides  for  vast  numbers  will  sui'pass  all 
the  dreams  of  the  dreamers.  Christ  will  come  again. 
He  will  live  in  the  lives  of  millions  of  consecrated  souls, 
and  He  will  bring  dignity  in  its  true  sense  to  common 
things  and  the  common  experience. 

Dignity  as  I  see  it  in  this  connection  is  a  form  of 
morality,  because  morality  is  the  outward  expression 
of  that  self-respect  which  dwelleth  within,  and  is,  in- 
deed, the  highest  form  of  self-respect.  Hence,  anything 
that  enhances  the  dignity  of  a  man  enhances  his  moral- 
ity, and  it  was  ever  clear  to  me  that  this  was  the  great 
office  of  the  New  Earth — to  lay  deep  and  true  the  foun- 
dations of  dignity  in  the  common  life  of  our  people, 
wliich  is  equivalent  to  saying  the  foundations  of  self- 
respect  and  the  highest  morality. 

And  here  again,  we  pass  from  the  individual  to  the 
community,  and  ultimately  to  the  nation  and  the  world. 
The  New  Earth  so  becomes  in  the  course  of  time  the 
Redeemer  of  mankind.  It  erects  his  life  and  roots  his 
influence — his  all-conquering  Thought — in  the  fertile 
soil  of  ownership,  but  of  ownership  limited  by  conscience 


10  CitT/  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

to  his  needs — those  needs  measured  by  the  excellence  of 
his  workmanship  and,  hence  enabling  him  to  do  well 
with  a  little  land.  Into  that  workmanship  goes  all  the 
love  of  his  family,  even  of  the  family  that  is  to  come 
into  being  in  the  far  future.  From  these  conditions 
spring  growth  of  dignity  and  self-respect,  and  with  it 
elevation  of  thought  and  bearing.  This  becomes  the 
habit  of  the  man,  the  habit  of  the  community.  It 
spreads  with  the  spread  of  the  New  Earth  and  its 
ideals  until  it  becomes  in  fact  the  New  Heaven. 


CHAPTER  I 

DIGGING   TO    THE    ROOTS    OF    A   DYING    TREE 

IT  was  generally  assumed  that  the  world  would 
never  be  the  same  after  the  Great  War,  and  that 
among  the  results  of  the  mighty  upheaval  would 
be  new  forms  of  life  on  the  land.  In  some  countries, 
it  was  plain,  this  transformation  would  chiefly  relate 
to  ownership  and  distribution  of  the  soil ;  in  others,  to 
the  manner  of  its  use ;  but  it  was  generally  anticipated 
that  everywhere  the  influence  of  the  cataclysm  would 
be  registered  upon  the  land — in  the  character  of  its 
homes  and  institutions — quite  as  clearly  as  in  any 
other  department  of  civilization. 

British  statesmanship  took  stock  of  these  possibili- 
ties while  the  War  was  still  at  its  height,  and  began 
to  brace  itself  against  the  impact  of  conditions  that 
must  assuredly  follow  the  ending  of  the  conflict.  Not 
only  in  the  Motlicr  Country,  but  in  the  oversea  colonies 
— in  Canada,  in  Australia,  in  New  Zealand,  in  South 
Africa — expert  minds  gave  careful  forethought  to  pre- 
paredness for  peace.  They  believed  their  weary  peoples 
would  turn  to  the  land,  as  to  the  shadow  of  a  great 
rock. 

In  the  United  States  there  were  men  who  sensed  the 
same  situation.  Long  before  the  Battle  of  Chateau 
Thierry,  Franklin  K.  Lane,  Secretary  of  the  Interior, 

11 


1£  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

began  to  ponder  the  problem  of  Reconstruction.  He 
anticipated  that  milhons  of  men  serving  in  the  Army 
and  Navy  would  be  more  or  less  weaned  from  their 
old  occupations,  and  that  a  large  proportion  of  those 
formerly  employed  in  the  factories  and  workshops 
would  have  fallen  in  love  with  outdoor  life.  He  thought, 
too,  that  many  of  the  places  vacated  by  the  selective 
draft  would  be  filled  by  permanent  occupants  when 
the  soldier  returned,  so  that  they  would  find  the  old 
familiar  doors  closed  in  their  faces.  It  also  seemed 
probable  that  the  cessation  of  the  intense  industrial 
activities  of  the  War  would  precipitate  upon  the  coun- 
try an  Army  of  Unemployed,  with  consequent  suffer- 
ing, throughout  a  long  period  of  readjustment. 
Though  busily  engaged  as  a  member  of  the  Council 
of  National  Defense  in  his  part  of  the  work  of  prose- 
cuting the  War  to  a  successful  finisli,  he  yet  found 
time  to  look  beyond  that  point,  and  consider  what  the 
Government  could,  or  ought,  to  do,  in  the  way  of 
preparation. 

"Every  country  has  found  itself  face  to  face  with 
this  situation  at  the  close  of  a  great  war,"  he  told 
the  President,  in  a  letter  that  will  be  historic.  "From 
Rome  under  Ca-sar,  to  France  under  Napoleon,  down 
even  to  our  Civil  War,  the  problem  arose  as  to  what 
could  be  done  with  the  soldiers  to  be  mustered  out  of 
the  military  service." 

He  looked  back  to  the  close  of  our  own  Revolution, 
and  recalled  liow  tlic  veterans  had  threaded  their  way 
tlirougli  the  forests  of  the  AUeghenics  to  make  homes 
in  the  valley  of  the  Ohio.  He  recalled  the  phenomenal 
settlement    in    ilie   Mississippi    Valley,   which    followed 


Digging  to  the  Roots  of  a  Dying  Tree  13 

close  upon  the  cessation  of  the  Civil  War,  when  the 
citizenship  of  whole  States,  like  Kansas,  Nebraska,  and 
the  Dakotas,  largely  consisted  of  men  who  had  worn 
the  blue.  He  realized,  however,  that  conditions  had 
changed  in  50  years ;  that  there  was  no  longer  a  patri- 
mony of  fertile  public  lands  available  to  homestead 
entry,  and  requiring  no  preparation  beyond  the  means 
of  the  individual  settler.  Nevertheless,  the  problem 
of  the  returning  soldier  remained  to  be  dealt  with.  It 
was  not  an  easy  problem,  but  Secretary  Lane  possessed 
both  the  vision  and  tlie  power  to  tackle  its  solution. 

He  summoned  to  Washington  men  whom  he  thought 
especially  equipped  for  the  task  by  their  knowledge, 
their  experience,  and  their  sympathies.  He  was  tliink- 
ing  primarily  of  the  returning  soldier,  but  soon  dis- 
covered that  the  problem  was  much  broader;  that  it 
concerned  directly  or  indirectly,  the  country's  entire 
citizensliip — indeed,  the  fate  of  our  American  civiliza- 
tion— for  it  was  found  that  America  was  dying  on  the 
land !  It  would  be  but  a  poor  service  to  the  returning 
hero  to  invite  him  to  take  a  share  in  a  failing  enter- 
prise, and  it  would  amount  to  just  that  to  offer  nothing 
better  than  the  old  conditions  of  rural  life. 

Secretary  Lane's  counselors  decided  to  dig  down  to 
the  roots  of  the  subject,  as  one  would  dig  down  to  the 
roots  of  a  dying  tree,  and  find  out  wliat  had  happened 
to  the  fabled  "cornerstone  of  American  democracy" — 
the  farm  home.  There  was  plenty  of  evidence  that 
something  was  wrong.  Without  harping  upon  the 
dreary  statistics  regarding  the  marked  tendency  from 
rural  to  urban  life — a  tendency  that  dates  back  to  the 
first  national  Census  of  1830,  and  has  been  increasing 


14  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

ever  since — it  is  worth  while  to  mention  a  few  of  the 
latest  revelations  on  the  subject: 

The  abandonment  of  New  England  farms  is  a  very 
old  story;  nevertheless,  it  is  startling  to  realize  that 
Massachusetts  had  three  times  as  much  land  in  culti- 
vation 100  years  ago  as  now,  and  that  92.8  per  cent 
of  her  entire  population  dwells  in  urban  centers.  Not- 
withstanding the  general  increase  in  land  values  during 
the  past  few  years,  there  are  still  opportunities  to  ob- 
tain good  land,  most  favorably  situated  with  respect 
to  great  and  growing  markets,  for  one  dollar  to  ten 
dollars  per  acre.  And  that  within  a  few  miles  of  the 
spot  where  the  Pilgrims  landed  in  1620 ! 

It  is  only  within  recent  years  that  the  rural  decline 
has  been  noticeable  in  the  Middle  West,  but  in  the  past 
ten  years  the  number  of  farms  decreased  throughout 
that  fertile  region  in  every  State  except  Wisconsin  and 
Minnesota,  while  there  the  increase  was  slight.  In  the 
country  as  a  whole  the  number  of  new  farms  fell  off 
about  90  per  cent;  to  be  exact,  from  10.9  per  cent 
between  1900  and  1910,  to  1.4  per  cent  between  1910 
and  1920. 

In  Ohio,  the  number  of  habitable  vacant  farmhouses 
increased  61  per  cent  in  a  single  year;  from  18,000 
to  29,000  between  June,  1919,  and  June,  1920.  Tlio 
number  of  men  and  boys  on  Ohio  farms  decreased  30 
per  cent  in  the  same  period  of  time. 

In  two  years  40,000  men  left  the  farms  of  Michi- 
gan, and  the  vacant  places  grew  from  11,831  to  18,232 
• — making  a  total  of  1,666,000  abandoned  acres.  In 
April,  1920,  tliere  were  left  on  the  farms  of  Michigan 


Digging  to  the  Roots  of  a  Dying  Tree  15 

an  average  of  but  eleven  men  and  boys  for  each  ten 
farms. 

In  New  York  State,  22,540  farms  were  abandoned 
in  the  last  ten  years.  The  State  has  a  total  popula- 
tion in  excess  of  10,000,000,  but  the  number  directly 
engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  is  only  380,000. 

Another  disturbing  feature  of  the  rural  situation  is 
the  increase  of  tenant  farmers.  Figures  are  not  avail- 
able for  the  country  as  a  whole,  but  in  many  of  the 
richest  agricultural  States,  more  than  half  of  the  land 
is  in  the  hands  of  such  tenants,  who  have  no  stake  of 
their  own  in  the  soil;  hence,  no  interest  in  maintaining 
its  fertility,  or  improving  the  standard  of  rural  life. 

But  all  this  bears  only  upon  effects,  not  causes.  The 
easiest  explanation  is  that  men  prefer  the  town,  because 
it  pays  big  wages ;  and  that  war-time  wages  were  par- 
ticularly alluring.  Doubtless  the  War  accelerated  the 
movement;  but,  since  the  movement  preceded  the  War 
by  at  least  80  years,  the  cause  must  be  sought  else- 
where. So,  at  least,  thought  Secretary  Lane  and  his 
advisers;  and  they  determined  to  investigate  the  fa- 
vorite theme  of  poets  and  orators:  the  proposition  that 
the  farm  home  is  the  cornerstone  of  American  democ- 
racy, and  the  source  of  all  that  is  best  in  our  national 
life. 

They  started  with  the  assumption  that  the  drift 
throughout  the  nation  from  the  country  to  the  city 
was  much  greater  than  the  tide  in  the  opposite  direc- 
tion; and  that  the  "Back-to-the-land"  movement, 
speaking  in  broad  terms,  had  signally  failed.  They 
then  went   on  to   consider  another  assumption,   which 


16  City  Homrs  on  Country  Lanes 

represents  an  almost  universal  conviction — that  this 
tendency  is  anti-social — and  asked  themselves  the  ques- 
tion: Is  it  so?  If  it  is  actually  unfortunate  for  in- 
dividuals and  society,  then  it  must  be  such  in  lowered — 

Health ; 

Physical  development; 
Mental  development; 
Spiritual  development ; 
Financial  development ; 
Human  kindness ; 
Social  solidarity; 
Civic  ideals ; 
Patriotism; 

Ability  to  think  clearly  on  public  and  social  ques- 
tions ; 
Initiative  and  ability  to  carry  out  convictions ; 
Joy  of  living. 

As  a  first  logical  step,  they  employed  an  expert  to 
make  a  study  and  analysis  of  such  exact  information, 
bearing  upon  their  problem,  as  could  be  found  in  the 
great  Library  of  Congress.  The  quest  was  not  highly 
successful.  While  much  interesting  information  was 
gathered,  it  was  fragmentary,  bearing  upon  typical 
localities  which  had  been  selected  for  social  surveys, 
and  not  representative  of  the  whole  national  field. 
Hence,  it  was  suggestive  rather  than  conclusive.  It 
was  necessary  to  supj)lemcnt  it  by  extensive  studies, 
drawing  from  many  different  sources  of  information, 
much  of  it  gathered  from  current  newspapers  and 
magazines;   and   much   obtained   from   interviews   with 


Digging  to  the  Routs  of  a  Dying  Tree  17 

public  men,  sociologists  and  economists  throughout  the 
United  States. 

The  study  as  a  whole  was  at  least  eager  and  pains- 
taking, and  its  conclusions  so  clearly  in  accord  with 
obvious  social  tendencies  as  they  must  appear  to  the 
mind  of  any  thoughtful  observer,  that  there  can  be 
little  doubt  of  their  general  acceptance. 

It  is  a  natural  and  widespread  belief  that  life  in 
the  open  country  is  far  more  healthful  than  life  in 
crowded  towns.  So  it  ought  to  be,  and  so  it  would  be 
if  country  life  were  properly  organized,  and  kept  pace 
with  modern  scientific  knowledge  and  thought.  That, 
liowever,  is  precisely  what  it  has  not  done,  and  precisely 
what  it  can  not  do,  unless  radically  reformed.  The 
city,  on  the  other  hand,  is  marching  to  the  music  of 
science,  and  keeping  step  with  the  Twentieth  Century. 
This  fact  bears  distinctly  on  several  of  the  questions 
raised  in  Secretary  Lane's  inquiry ;  and  especially  on 
the  question  of  public  health. 

There  are  certain  diseases  indigenous  to  the  old  forms 
of  country  life — typhoid  fever,  for  example,  which  is 
transmitted  by  bad  water  and  flies.  The  remedy  is  a 
pure  water  supply  and  the  abolition  of  flies — at  least 
from  the  homes.  This  is  within  the  reach  of  science, 
which  modern  cities  faithfully  invoke,  but  which  the 
old-fashioned  farm  generally  ignores,  together  with 
other  sanitary  precautions  essential  to  health  preserva- 
tion. It  follows,  as  a  logical  consequence  that  typhoid 
fever  is  a  greater  menace  in  the  country  than  in  the 
city. 

Impure  milk  is  another  medium  for  the  transmission 
of  certain  diseases.     To  say  that  the  milk  supply  is 


18  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

generally  purer  in  the  city  than  in  the  country  sounds 
like  a  paradox ;  yet,  it  is  in  the  city  that  a  rigid  system 
of  inspection  is  applied ;  it  is  there  that  science  reaches 
out  its  hands  to  provide  the  strongest  possible  safe- 
guards for  the  public  health  in  this  respect. 

Malaria  and  kindred  troubles  are  mosquito-borne. 
Their  dominion  is  almost  wholly  confined  to  the  rural 
districts.  City  homes  outlaw  them — at  least  to  a  large 
extent. 

Sewerage  is  not  an  agreeable  topic  of  polite  conversa- 
tion ;  yet,  it  has  a  most  intimate  relation  to  health,  and 
it  represents  one  of  the  most  striking  triumphs  of 
modern  science.  That  triumph  is  largely  confined  to 
cities.  Indeed,  the  lack  of  sanitary  conditions  in  this 
respect  is  quite  appalling  in  a  large  proportion  of 
country  homes ;  consequently,  any  form  of  disease  that 
is  influenced  in  any  degree  by  the  method  employed  in 
the  disposal  of  sewage  is  more  menacing  in  the  country 
than  in  the  town. 

Pneumonia  often  comes  from  poorly  ventilated  rooms 
and  uneven  temperature;  intestinal  diseases,  including 
appendicitis,  from  badly-balanced  food  rations.     Mod- 
ern housing  conditions,  and  the  systematic  propaganda 
against  preventable  diseases,  account  for  the  fact  that 
these  serious  troubles  are  likely  to  be  less  prevalent  and 
less  generally   fatal  in  the  town  than  in  the  country. 
Hookworm  is  distinctly  rural  in  origin  and  prevail^ 
in  localities  where  a  large  part  of  the  jjopulation  has 
unsanitary    toilet    accommodations.      The    Rockefeller 
Foundation,    in    the   course    of    social    surveys    in    the 
South,   found   i)laces  where  50  per  cent  of  the  people 
had  no  facilities  of  tlie  sort  whatever;  and  one  locahty 


Digging  to  the  Roofs  of  a  Dying  Tree  19 

where  85  per  cent  was  without  them.  Such  instances 
are,  of  course,  extreme;  yet,  they  could  not  conceivably 
occur  at  all  under  the  health  regulations  of  any  city  or 
good-sized  town  in  America. 

In  weighing  the  relative  health  conditions  in  urban 
and  rural  life,  it  must  be  considered  that  a  very  large 
part  of  the  urban  advantage  in  this  respect  is  due  to 
the  mere  fact  of  dense  population.  This  is  due  in  part 
to  the  element  of  "overhead  expense" ;  in  part  to  the 
fact  that  the  city  naturally  attracts  the  highest  talent 
in  every  profession. 

In  this  classification  comes  everything  that  requires 
the  presence  of  hospitals,  with  prompt  attendance  of 
good  physicians,  and  the  care  of  trained  nurses.  Such 
institutions  require  conditions  which  the  unorganized 
life  of  a  sparsely  settled  countryside  could  never  en- 
courage or  support.  There  are,  and  there  can  be  no 
exact  data  to  show  the  drawback  of  country  life  in  this 
respect ;  but  none  are  needed.  The  case  is  plain  enough 
on  its  face.  Fine  hospitals,  with  the  latest  scientific 
equipment,  can  only  exist  in  the  midst  of  a  considerable 
population.  Whatever  gain  they  represent  in  the  mat- 
ter of  human  comfort  and  welfare  is  the  gain  of  the 
city ;  whatever  loss  their  absence  entails,  is  the  loss  of 
the  country.  It  is  a  matter  that  touches  the  health 
problem  at  many  points. 

One  of  the  sharpest  points  is  that  of  maternity  and 
of  infant  mortality.  According  to  the  best  available 
statistics,  one  woman  gives  up  her  life  for  every  15-i 
babies  born  in  America.  In  other  words,  almost  as 
many  women  perished  in  giving  birth  to  4,800,000  ex- 
service  men  of  the  great  World  War,  as  the  total  num- 


20  City  Homes  on  Cotmtry  Lanes 

ber  of  our  men  killed  in  battle  and  dying  from  wounds. 
Except  tuberculosis,  it  is  the  greatest  single  cause  of 
death  to  women  between  25  and  50  years  of  age.  It  is, 
therefore,  a  fundamental  element  of  health.  This  is  par- 
ticularly true  because  the  vast  proportion  of  the  4,- 
800,000  ex-ser\^ice  men  were  not  injured  at  all;  whereas, 
when  these  particular  men  were  bom,  practically  every 
woman  was  confined  to  her  bed  from  periods  ranging 
from  a  few  days  to  several  weeks.  Of  those  permanently 
crippled,  either  slightly  or  seriously,  the  number  is  far 
less  than  the  number  of  women  who  were  permanently 
injured  in  these  4,800,000  confinements.  Many  more 
women  than  service  men  were  completely  disabled. 

What  has  been  said  about  hospitals,  and  the  care  of 
mothers  Immediately  before  and  after  childbirth,  has  a 
direct  bearing  on  the  subject  of  infant  mortality.  An- 
other item  to  be  recorded  on  the  side  of  city  advantages, 
is  the  work  of  popular  education  concerning  mother- 
hood which  is  constantly  carried  on.  Among  the  poorer 
mothers  in  large  cities,  the  city  health  department,  Red 
Cross  and  other  agencies,  render  a  degree  of  help  and 
advice  that  is  not  available  to  country  mothers;  and  in 
the  large  cities  there  are  little  mothers'  leagues  to  which 
girls  between  the  ages  of  12  and  14  belong,  and  in  which 
they  receive  instruction  in  the  care  and  feeding  of 
their  little  sisters  and  brothers,  and  pass  it  on  to  their 
mothers. 

The  excessive  infant  mortality  discovered  in  one  sur- 
vey was  summed  up  as  being  due  to  "the  mother's 
ignorance  of  proper  feeding,  of  proper  care,  of  the 
simplest  requirements  of  hygiene.  To  this  all  the  other 
causes  must  be  regarded  as  secondary."     Surely  this 


Digging  to  the  Roots  of  a  Dying  Tree  21 

must  be  so,  if  there  is  anything  at  all  in  education  re- 
garding the  common  duties  of  life,  and  any  hope  of 
raising  the  standard  of  efficiency  in  that  respect.  And 
it  is  the  city  that  can  do  it — is  doing  it — far  more  than 
the  country.  It  is  a  part  of  the  organized  life  of  the 
town  which  contrasts  so  sharply  with  the  over-individ- 
ualistic life  of  the  countryside. 

We  see  it  again  in  the  matter  of  nurses.  In  times  of 
illness,  it  is  usually  difficult  even  to  obtain  household 
help,  and  nursing  is  often  left  to  the  unskilled  hands 
of  the  older  children,  or  of  the  neighbors  and  their 
children.  Five  millions  of  the  best  men  and  women  have 
come  into  the  world  under  these  conditions.  Sturdy 
mothers  and  noble  children  have  survived  the  experi- 
ence; yet  tliis  circumstance  is  no  more  an  argument 
against  the  modern  scientific  conditions  now  enjoyed  by 
the  city,  and  impossible  to  the  old  and  discredited  sys- 
tem of  rural  life,  than  the  fact  that  Abraham  Lincoln 
read  his  lessons  by  firelight  is  an  argument  against  the 
use  of  the  electric  lamp. 

Not  only  has  the  city  the  advantage  of  fine  and 
abundant  hospitals,  with  their  complete  staffs  of  highly- 
trained  physicians  and  nurses,  as  well  as  free  clinics  for 
the  needy,  but  they  also  attract  the  ablest  specialists  in 
every  line.  Take  dentistry  (half  our  bodily  ills  are  now 
traced  to  the  teeth)  and  ask  yourself  if  there  is  any 
comparison  between  the  practitioners  and  facilities  al- 
ways available  in  the  city  and  those  usually  found  in 
the  country.  Add  to  this  the  thorough  inspection  of 
teeth  now  quite  generally  made  in  city  schools,  and 
the  laxity  in  that  regard  in  many,  if  not  most,  country 
schools ;  and  it  is  apparent  at  a  glance  that  so  far  as 


22  Citt/  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

this  department  of  health  is  concerned,  the  city  is 
far  in  advance.  So  with  the  oculist,  and  all  other 
fields  of  specialization,  the  city  has  absorbed  and  holds 
in  its  firm  grip  the  best  of  everything.  And  it  scores 
heavily  on  the  side  of  health  for  the  city-born  and  city- 
reared  against  their  brothers  of  the  backward  rural 
districts. 

It  is  popularly  believed  that  rural  life  is  most  favor- 
able to  physical  development,  but  athletic  instructors 
generally  have  come  to  the  conclusion  that  it  does  not 
develop  the  body  symmetrically;  that  certain  muscles 
are  exercised  to  fatigue,  while  other  muscles  are  exer- 
cised insufficiently.  The  report  on  athletic  exercises 
and  organized  play  at  the  1920  session  of  the  National 
Country  Life  Conference  in  Chicago  favored  special 
types  of  athletic  exercises  in  country  schools  on  that 
account. 

The  young  of  all  animals,  and  particularly  human 
beings,  attain  symmetrical  development  through  play. 
City  children  now  have  their  playgrounds  and  organized 
play  efforts,  while  country  children  really  play  little 
and  work  a  great  deal.  Probably  there  is  more  child 
labor  on  the  farm  than  in  all  other  industries  combined. 
By  that  same  token,  there  is  less  balanced  physical  de- 
velopment. 

It  was  hoped  tlie  record  of  physical  rejections  in 
tlie  World  War  would  tlirow  a  strong  light  on  tlic  rela- 
tive health  of  urban  and  rural  communities.  While  the 
record  is  marvelously  complete,  it  does  not  help  much 
in  this  inquiry,  for  the  reason  that  the  Census  unit  of 
2,500   as    the   dividing  line  between   urban    and   rural 


Digging  to  the  Roots  of  a  Byvng  Tree  23 

population  was  not  adopted,  but  the  local  draft  board 
unit  of  25,000.  Moreover,  local  districts  often  in- 
cluded portions  of  rural  territory  which  were,  therefore, 
rated  urban.  Such  as  it  is,  the  record  shows  528  de- 
fects per  thousand  among  rural  soldiers,  against  609 
among  the  urban.  A  true  division  would  almost  cer- 
tainly have  been  in  favor  of  city  life,  as  it  was  in  the 
Civil  War.  At  that  time,  however,  a  vast  majority  of 
the  people  lived  in  rural  districts,  while  now  the  major 
portion  dwells  in  towns. 

A  somewhat  clearer  light  was  thrown  upon  the  sub- 
ject, when  considere<l  from  another  interesting  stand- 
point— that  of  comparative  immunity  from  certain 
diseases  after  entering  the  Army.  In  four  out  of  five 
instances  the  ultra-urban  State  of  New  York  stood 
first,  with  the  rural  States  last  in  every  instance.  Penn- 
sylvania and  New  England,  preponderantly  urban,  also 
made  an  exceedingly  good  showing.  Tliis  is  not  entirely 
conclusive,  because  of  the  racial  element  that  enters 
into  the  equation — more  of  the  Eastern  urban  men 
being  of  foreign  blood  than  of  those  from  largely  rural 
States. 

So  far  as  Secretary  Lane's  inquiry  shed  light  on 
those  matters,  it  was  strongly  confirmatory  of  the  city's 
claim  to  superiority  on  the  side  of  public  health  and 
individual  physical  well-being.  It  is  a  superiority  in- 
herent in  the  fundamental  conditions  of  modem  urban 
life.  In  a  word,  the  drift  from  country  to  city  is  not 
unfortunate  for  society,  from  the  standpoint  of  health. 

The  initial  point  for  every  person  who  wants  to 
make  the  most  of  himself  is,  of  course,  the  schoolroom. 
Every  worthy  parent  wishes  his  child  to  have  the  best 


24  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

possible  education  within  the  limits  of  his  opportunity. 
It  is  here  we  may  appropriately  begin  our  considera- 
tion of  the  effect  of  the  cityward  movement  on  the 
mental  development  of  the  American  people. 

The  efficiency  of  the  Little  Red  Schoolhouse  is  a  leg- 
end among  us ;  thence  have  come  most  of  our  statesmen, 
poets,  orators,  captains  of  industry — the  leaders  of  our 
national  life.  This  was  certainly  true  of  the  day  in 
which  a  very  large  proportion  of  our  population  was 
rural,  and  before  the  organization  of  city  life  arose  to 
the  dignity  of  social  science;  but  the  slightest  com- 
parison of  educational  facilities  in  country  and  town, 
as  they  exist  to-day,  will  convince  the  reader  that  the 
ancient  legend  is  no  longer  based  upon  facts. 

The  rural  child  receives  only  about  65  per  cent  as 
much  schooling  as  the  city  child.  This  is  due  to  the 
slack  attendance  and  shorter  school  session.  The  aver- 
age daily  attendance  in  the  country  is  67.6  per  cent ; 
in  the  city,  79.3  per  cent.  The  school  year  in  the 
former  is  137-7  days,  and  in  the  latter  184.3  days. 
Conditions  vary  in  different  sections,  but  the  rule  runs 
true  throughout  the  United  States.  City  children,  of 
course,  usually  live  near  the  school  building  and  have 
abundant  means  of  cheap  transportation  when  it  is 
necessary  to  go  any  distance,  while  country  children 
are  widely  scattered,  and  often  with  no  means  of  trans- 
portation over  poor  roads.  During  long  periods  of  bad 
weather  they  can  not  go  at  all.  These  conditions  are 
})orfectly  obvious  on  the  surface,  and  militate  power- 
fully against  the  best  education  for  rural  children.  Re- 
sults arc  reflected  in  the  higher  pei'centage  of  illiteracy 
ill  country  districts. 


Digging  to  the  Roots  of  a  Dyvng  Tree  25 

Educational  results  are  largely  determined  by  the 
quality  of  teaching.  A  study  of  urban  and  rural  con- 
ditions on  this  score  is  strongly  in  favor  of  the  city 
teacher.  Country  schoolma'ams  serve,  on  an  average, 
only  about  one  3'ear,  against  the  average  of  12  years  on 
the  part  of  the  city  schoolma'am.  In  the  one  case 
school-teacliing  is  treated  as  a  temporary  expedient — a 
stepping-stone  to  higher  education  or  some  other  pro- 
fession, and  often  to  marriage;  in  the  other,  it  is  re- 
garded as  a  permanent  career.  It  requires  no  argu- 
ment whatever  to  demonstrate  which  condition  is  favor- 
able to  the  child. 

Salaries  have  something  to  do  with  the  matter. 
These  are  considerably  liigher  in  town  than  in  the 
country.  This  condition  is  governed  somewhat  by  the 
inexorable  rule  of  overhead  expenses.  It  is  the  large 
school  that  can  aiford  to  pay  the  highest  salaries  be- 
cause the  expense  is  divided  among  many  more  individ- 
uals ;  consequently  the  higher  rewards  are  held  out  by 
the  larger  schools,  which  are  invariably  in  centers  of 
population.  Urban  conditions  are  also  much  more 
favorable  to  the  careful  and  thorough  grading  of 
schools,  and  the  old-fashioned,  one-room  school  can 
not  begin  to  offer  so  much  to  the  child  as  the  graded 
school.  Not  only  is  the  teacher  overburdened  with  work 
in  the  one-room  school,  but  she  has  no  opportunity  to 
specialize  and  become  highly  expert  in  any  single  de- 
partment of  her  work.  Here,  as  elsewhere,  the  whole 
trend  of  our  times  favors  the  modern  art  of  specializa- 
tion ;  and  this  is  a  forbidden  art  for  the  country  teacher 
in  many  instances. 

For  the  same  reason  vocational  training,  which  has 


26  City  Homes  on  Cowntry  Lanes 

become  one  of  the  most  valuable  features  of  modern 
education,  is  difficult,  or  impossible,  in  all  except  the 
highest  types  of  country  schools.  On  the  other  hand, 
it  is  readily  within  the  reach  of  the  city  school,  with  its 
large  attendance,  good  salaries,  and  opportunity  for 
careful  grading. 

Investigation  has  disclosed  a  pitiable  lack  of  library 
facilities  in  many  rural  schools  throughout  the  United 
States,  including  some  of  the  most  advanced  and  pros- 
perous agricultural  sections.  Many  instances  were 
found  where  the  total  library  stock  did  not  exceed  50 
to  100  volumes,  and  where  these  were  unchanged  for  so 
long  as  two  or  three  years.  City  school  libraries  are 
far  more  adequate  and  enterprising,  and  they  are  sup- 
plemented by  great  public  libraries  which  are  open  to 
the  children. 

The  same  influence  necessarily  governs  the  character 
and  extent  of  school  buildings  in  the  city  and  country. 
The  Little  Red  Schoolhouse  is  picturesque,  l)ut  fre- 
quently uncomfortable,  inconvenient,  unsanitary,  and 
at  least  a  generation  beliind  the  times.  City  school 
buildings,  on  the  other  hand,  are  generally  the  object 
of  the  greatest  pride — often  of  lavish  expenditure,  and 
sometin\cs  the  last  word  in  architecture,  convenience, 
beauty  and  sanitary  arrangement. 

One  reason  that  great  numbers  of  men  and  women 
have  left  the  country  and  gone  to  the  big  centers  of 
population  is  because  they  arc  thereby  enabled  to  give 
their  children  a  far  better  education,  and  hence  a 
better  start  in  the  race  of  life.  It  is  idle  to  deny  the 
facts,  and  equally  idle  to  argue  against  the  parental 
instinct  that  demands  the  best  for  its  offspring.     The 


hiugtou,  D. 

FRANKLIN   K.    LANE 

\Yho  fought  for  a  great  American  Policy  of  Home-building  on  the  Land,  and  whose 
ideals — certain  to  prevail  in  time — will  enrich  the  lives  of  Future  Generations. 


Digging  to  the  Roots  of  a  Dying  Tree  27 

remedy  lies  in  frank  recognition  of  the  fact,  followed  by 
fundamental  and  far-reaching  changes  on  the  side  of 
country  life.  If  such  changes  can  not  be  made — if 
the  child  reared  in  the  country  must  be  denied  his  right- 
ful chance  for  a  good  education  and  a  fair  start  in  life 
— then  country  life  is  damned  and  doomed,  and  every- 
body who  can  possibly  get  there  will  go  to  the  city. 
This  is  in  full  accord  with  the  American  spirit.  Noth- 
ing is  more  vital  to  democracy  than  that  childhood  shall 
have  its  chance — the  best  chance  that  money  and  genius 
can  provide. 

If  mental  development  begins  in  the  schools,  it  does 
not  end  there.  What  are  the  comparative  advantages 
and  facilities  of  urban  and  rural  people  for  keeping  on 
with  their  education  and  abreast  of  the  times.''  The 
city,  of  course,  offers  superior  opportunities  of  every 
sort.  And  opportunity  is  all  we  can  offer  to  any  man. 
There  are  no  statistics  of  much  value  to  show  to  what 
extent  the  city  man  is  disposed  to  avail  himself  of  his 
manifest  advantages,  as  compared  with  his  country 
cousin.  Whether  the  abundance  and  accessibility  of 
libraries  and  reading-rooms,  lecture  halls,  art  galleries, 
clubs,  and  social  organizations  of  all  kinds  broaden  his 
mind  and  enlarge  his  outlook  on  life  is  largely  a  matter 
of  speculation.  It  is  certain,  however,  that  it  is  far 
easier  for  the  average  man  and  woman  to  make  the  most 
of  themselves  in  the  way  of  mental  development  if  living 
in  town  than  if  living  under  rural  conditions  as  Ihey 
average  throughout  the  United  States. 

For  one  thing,  the  better  class  of  daily  newspapers 
are  great  educators,  and  their  circulation  is  overwhelm- 
ingly urban. 


28  Citi/  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

A  fairer  test  is  the  paid  subscription  list  of  popular 
national  periodicals — weekly  and  monthly — since  these 
are  equally  accessible  to  city  and  country  subscribers. 
A  representative  list  makes  the  following  exhibit : 

General  magazine  (low  price),  24  per  cent  rural;  76 
per  cent  urban. 

General  magazine  (high  price),  2  per  cent  rural;  98 
per  cent  urban. 

Popular  fashion  magazine,  38  per  cent  rural;  62 
per  cent  urban. 

Religious  weekly,  6  per  cent  rural;  94  per  cent 
urban. 

A  famous  humorous  weekly,  2  per  cent  rural ;  98  per 
cent  urban. 

A  woman's  monthly,  26  per  cent  rural;  74  per  cent 
urban. 

A  well-known  literary  weekly,  25.1  per  cent  rural; 
74.9  per  cent  urban. 

An  outdoor  journal,  17.6  per  cent  rural;  82.4  per 
cent  urban. 

Famous  boys'  fiction  weekly,  51  per  cent  rural;  49 
per  cent  urban. 

Prominent  farm  journal,  63  per  cent  rural;  37  per 
cent  urban. 

These  figures  are  based  on  the  Census  of  1910,  when 
53.7  of  the  total  popuhition  of  the  United  States 
was  rural — a  figure  practically  reversed  by  the  Census 
of  1920.  Tims  the  relative  discrepancy  is  larger  than 
the  actual.  It  is  worth  while  to  add,  as  bearing  on  the 
relation  of  big  cities  to  mental  activity,  that  seven  of 
the  ten  ])eriodicals  re])re.senting  together  a  wide  range 
of  human  interest,  have  more  circulation  in  cities  of 


Digging  to  the  Roots  of  a  Dying  Tree  29 

100,000  and  over  tlian  in  all  rural  America,  though  the 
big  cities  had  only  22.1  per  cent  of  tlie  nation's  total 
population,  against  53.7  per  cent  for  the  country  dis- 
tricts. 

Even  in  the  absence  of  such  a  searcliing  national 
survey  and  analysis  as  miglit  be  desired,  it  is  perfectly 
safe  to  conclude  that  tlie  cityward  trend  is  not  unfortu- 
nate for  society  from  the  standpoint  of  mental  develop- 
ment. 

When  it  comes  to  studying  the  relative  spiritual  de- 
velopment in  town  and  country  the  wise  man  walks 
carefully.  It  is  not  a  matter  to  be  hastily  determined 
by  the  weight  of  the  visible  evidence,  since  the  things 
of  the  spirit  are  invisible.  The  highest  spiritual  ex- 
pression of  which  the  world  has  ever  heard  came  from 
the  quiet  places  in  Palestine.  And  we  have  the  assur- 
ance that  we  shall  lose  God  neither  in  the  desert  nor  in 
the  crowded  thoroughfares  of  the  great  city. 

"Whither  shall  I  go  from  Thy  spirit,  or  whither  shall  I  flee 
from  Th)'  presence? 

"If  I  take  the  wings  of  the  morning  and  dwell  in  the  uttermost 
parts  of  the  sea, 

"Even  there  shall  Thy  hand  lead  me,  and  Thy  right  hand  shall 
hold  me." 

But  if  the  measure  of  spiritual  development  is  or- 
ganized religion  there  is  no  question  about  the  superior- 
ity of  urban  life.  There  is  hardly  anything  more 
pathetic  than  the  state  of  the  country  church,  viewing 
the  subject  as  a  whole.  This  fact  is  nowhere  more  keen- 
ly realized  than  in  the  councils  of  the  great  religious 
denominations.  They  have  made  repeated  surveys  in 
selected  localities,  all  pointing  the  same  way.  One 
such  survey  covering  three  counties  in  northeast  Mis- 


30  City  Homes  on  Covmtry  Lanes 

souri  showed  that  92  per  cent  of  the  country  churches 
have  pastors  on  one-fourth  time;  their  average  pay, 
$108  a  year.  Nineteen  churches  had  been  abandoned — 
"simply  died  out." 

There  is  a  record  of  one  country  church  held  in  a 
hall  (not  located  in  Missouri)  that  adopted  the  desper- 
ate expedient  of  introducing  one  of  "Fatty"  Arbuckle's 
slapstick  comedies  to  draw  the  crowd.  (They  came, 
too.)  Half  the  comedy  was  presented  between  the 
minister's  "thirdly"  and  "fourthly,"  but  to  get  the 
other  half  the  crowd  had  to  remain  until  after  the  bene- 
diction. Considered  merely  from  the  standpoint  of  at- 
tendance, the  plan  was  literally  "a  howling  success." 

City  churches,  of  course,  simply  because  of  the  con- 
centration of  wealth  and  population,  attract  the  higiier 
pulpit  talent ;  have  the  finest  music,  both  instrumental 
and  vocal;  house  their  activities  in  the  largest,  hand- 
somest and  most  comfortable  structures,  often  equipped 
with  the  latest  facilities  for  social  as  well  as  religious 
functions.  In  all  these  respects  their  advantage  over 
rural  conditions  is  so  palpable,  so  painful,  that  it  need 
not  be  dwelt  upon. 

While  the  city  church  has  not  resorted  to  tlie  roaring 
farce  to  attract  an  audience,  it  has  sometimes  employed 
moving  pictures  of  sacred  or  ])urely  educational  char- 
acter, and  doubtless  with  pronounced  gain  on  the  side 
of  mental,  if  not  of  si)irltual,  progress. 

If  tlie  good-si/ed  town  or  urban  center  can  claim  no 
conclusive   superiority   in   a   matter   so   clearly   one   of 
individual  personal  experience,  and  if  we  admit  the  full 
force  of  what  Emerson  said  of  his  "sylvan  dell," 
"When   mun   in   the    bush   with   God   may   meet " 


Digging  to  the  Roots  of  a  Dying  Tree  31 

it  is  still  apparent  that  the  cityward  tendency  is  not  un- 
fortunate for  society,  in  the  sense  of  spiritual  develop- 
ment. 

The  question  of  relative  financial  development  under 
the  conditions  of  rural  and  urban  life,  if  considered 
from  the  standpoint  of  average  earning  power  and 
ajiart  from  the  increment  in  land  values,  presents  no 
such  difficulties  as  we  found  in  the  matter  of  spiritual 
development. 

City  earnings,  at  least  where  labor  is  organized,  are 
fairly  high  and  tend  upward;  rural  earnings  are  low 
and  tend  downward.  In  both  cases  pre-war  condi- 
tions as  to  earnings  and  living  costs  should  be  the 
basis  of  comparison,  since  the  war  precipitated  ab- 
normal wages  and  prices  everywhere,  and  the  process 
of  readjustment  is  not  complete  and  may  not  be  for 
years. 

Between  1900  and  1914)  the  Federal  Government,  as 
well  as  various  States  and  universities,  conducted  ex- 
tensive investigations  to  ascertain  the  amount  of  the 
farmer's  income.  One  Federal  investigation  covered  ten 
of  the  most  important  agricultural  States,  including 
the  cotton  sections  of  the  South,  the  grain  regions  of 
the  Middle  West,  the  dairy  districts  of  Wisconsin,  and 
the  diversified  farms  of  Vermont.  The  official  report 
concluded  in  these  words  : 

"Extensive  investigations  relative  to  the  profits  of 
farming  indicate  that  the  average  labor  income  of  the 
farmer  probably  differs  little  from  ordinary  farm 
wages." 

That  is  to  say  $25  a  montli  or  $300  a  year.  (Labor 
income,  of  course,  is  apart  from  income  on  investment. 


32  Citif  Homes  on  Country/  Lanes 

but  the  latter  is  but  3  or  4  per  cent  in  the  best  farming 
regions.)  Government  investigations  in  three  repre- 
sentative areas — Indiana,  Ilhnois,  and  Iowa — showed  an 
average  labor  income  of  $408.  In  Indiana  it  was  $310 ; 
in  Ilhnois,  $622;  in  Iowa,  $291.  Cornell  University 
studied  some  of  the  most  thriving  agricultural  districts 
in  New  York  State,  with  this  result: 

"The  average  owner  received  $423  as  pay  for  his 
personal  labor  and  management  for  a  year;  but  there 
were  wide  variations  from  this  amount.  The  common 
wages  of  a  hired  man  in  this  region  (pre-war)  are  $300 
to  $350,  with  house  rent,  garden,  wood  and  milk. 
Some  of  the  men  receive  more.  Roughly  speaking,  we 
may  say  that  one-third  of  the  owners  made  less  than 
their  hired  men,  one-third  made  about  the  same  as  the 
hired  men,  and  one-third  more  than  hired  men." 

Practically  the  same  results  were  found  in  the  case  of 
tenants.  Whether  owner,  tenant,  or  hireling,  the  man 
on  the  land  receives  about  the  same  pay  for  labor.  The 
average  capital  requirement  for  a  ICO-acre  farm  in 
Indiana,  Illinois  and  Iowa  was  found  to  be  $30,606 — 
more  than  most  men  possess,  or  will  ever  possess. 

Diligent  search  has  failed  to  reveal  any  figure  as  a 
basis  for  comparison  of  average  urban  income  with 
average  rural  income.  The  income  of  urban  people,  of 
course,  taking  all  elements  into  account,  covers  an 
immense  range.  Somewhere  between  the  depths  of  pov- 
erty and  the  heights  of  affluence  lies  the  sea  level  that 
one  would  wish  to  find  on  this  side  of  the  subject,  as 
we  found  it  on  the  rural  side. 

There  is  very  good  reason  for  saying  tliat  the  aver- 


Digging  to  the  Roots  of  a  Dyvng  Tree  33 

age'  American  income  for  1917,  taking  every  man, 
woman  and  child  engaged  in  gainful  occupations,  falls 
somewhere  around  $1,250.  This  average  means  com- 
paratively little  for  our  purpose,  which  is  to  ascertain 
the  economic  situation  of  the  millions  who  left  the 
farm  to  engage  in  city  life.  If  comparatively  few  of 
them  are  in  the  millionaire  class,  probably  hardly  more 
are  among  those  receiving  the  poorest  pay.  They  were 
largely  made  up  of  the  young,  energetic  and  ambitious, 
equipped  with  a  fair  degree  of  education.  They  deliber- 
ately set  out  to  improve  their  situation  in  life.  To  a 
large  extent  they  are  skilled  mechanics,  trained  office 
people,  small  merchants,  or  professional  men  or  women. 

A  careful  survey  of  2,000  families  in  Chicago,  taken 
at  random  from  the  city  directory,  gave  $1,500  as  the 
commonest  household  income.  My  own  guess  (and  it  is 
only  a  guess,  from  which  the  reader  may  dissent),  is 
that  the  income  of  the  element  we  have  especially  in 
mind  averages  somewhat  above  rather  than  below  that 
figure. 

In  the  absence  of  such  complete  data  as  we  would 
wish,  the  best  we  can  do  is  to  say  this :  The  farm 
worker's  labor  income  is  $350  a  year,  plus  rent,  fuel, 
milk  and  vegetables.  Let  the  city  reader  add  the  cost 
of  those  four  items  to  $350,  then  subtract  the  sum  from 
his  total  income,  and  he  will  be  able  to  compare  his  own 
economic  lot  with  that  of  his  rural  brother.  Probably 
it  would  not  be  far  wrong  to  say  that  the  sum  so  ob- 
tained would  average  about  $1,000;  nor  to  deduce  the 
conclusion  that  the  average  city  man  is  ahead  by  any- 
where from  50  to  100  per  cent. 


34  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

If  that  be  true,  then  it  becomes  quite  clear  that  the 
cityward  tendency  is  not  unfortunate  for  society,  from 
the  standpoint  of  financial  development. 

Now  we  pass  right  out  to  sea,  so  far  as  any  hope 
of  exact  information  is  concerned.  Of  health,  physical, 
mental,  spiritual  and  financial  development  something 
may  be  learned  from  public  records,  though  such  data  is 
by  no  means  as  comprehensive  as  could  be  desired.  It 
is  different  when  we  come  to  consider  the  other  elements 
of  our  problem — the  effect  of  the  sweep  of  population 
away  from  the  land  on  the  character  of  our  people  with 
respect  to  human  kindness,  social  solidarity,  patriotism, 
capacity  to  think  clearly  on  public  and  social  questions, 
initiative  and  ability  to  carry  out  convictions,  and, 
finally,  joy  of  living. 

These  are  vital  considerations.  They  go  to  the 
heart  of  our  future  civilization.  They  are  closely 
related  to  the  matter  of  education  and  economic  pros- 
perity, since  there  can  not  be  mucli  doubt  that  a  more 
general  diffusion  of  knowledge  and  the  comforts  of 
life  must  react  favorably  on  the  character  of  individuals 
and  communities.  Then,  too,  there  is  the  influence  of 
environment — of  contact  witii  large  numbers  and  with 
varied  racial  and  social  groups — to  be  taken  into  ac- 
count. 

The  questions  of  huiuan  kiiuliiess  and  patriotism  may 
be  considered  practically  as  one.  Like  spiritual  de- 
velopment, they  are  largely  matters  of  individual  tem- 
peranu-nt  and  ])crsonal  exjierience.  It  would  be  a  very 
bold  mail  who  should  undertake  to  say  that  rural  life  is 
deficient  in  either  of  tliese  fine  (lualities  of  human  char- 
acter.    Indeed,  on  the  side  of  kindness,  there  is  a  great 


Digging  to  the  Roots  of  a  Dying  Tree  35 

deal  to  be  said  in  favor  of  the  neighborly  relationship 
that  prevails  in  the  countryside  as  compared  with  the 
conditions  of  city  life  where  a  family  scarcely  knows  the 
people  in  the  next  house  or  tlie  next  apartment,  while 
those  in  the  next  block  are  as  alien  as  the  people  of 
San  Francisco  or  London  to  the  people  of  New  York. 

As  we  found  with  religion,  the  case  is  only  clear  as  it 
pertains  to  organized  ettort.  If  the  city  answered  more 
generously  to  Mr.  Hoover's  clarion  call  on  behalf  of  the 
starving  children  of  Europe,  and  contributed  more 
largely  to  the  needs  of  famine-stricken  China,  it  was  not 
because  its  population  is  inherently  more  charitable, 
but  because  it  is  far  more  readily  "get-at-able" ;  hence, 
more  responsive  to  the  "drive."    But — - 

What  is  the  effect  of  such  an  influence  upon  the  city 
people .P  Do  they,  as  a  class,  acquire  the  habit  of  giving 
freely.^  Do  they  thereby  become  more  tender  toward 
suffering  humanity  ?  They  hear  great  speakers  appeal- 
ing to  their  sympc^thies  and  exhorting  them  to  noble 
performance ;  they  absorb  the  same  spirit  through  their 
daily  newspapers;  they  breathe  an  atmosphere  of  or- 
ganized mercy  for  the  unfortunate;  they  are  sur- 
rounded by  pubhc  institutions  that  make  every  helpful 
provision  for  the  weaker  members  of  society.  Do  they 
thereby  develop  the  quality  of  human  kindness.?  And 
when  the  same  potent  influences  are  directed  into  pa- 
triotic channels,  do  city  people  respond  with  increased 
love  of  country?  On  the  other  hand,  does  the  lack  of 
such  intensive  cultivation  tend  to  reduce  benevolent  and 
patriotic  impulses  in  rural  districts.? 

This  branch  of  our  incjuiry  is  purely  speculative;  in 
the  nature  of  the  case,  it  provides  no  statistics.     The 


36  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

unquestioned  fact  that  the  city  is  the  more  liberal  con-  . 
tributor  to  popular  funds  of  all  kinds  would  be  true, 
if  for  no  other  reason,  because  Avealth  is  concentrated 
in  urban  centers.  It  is  quite  certain,  however,  that 
there  is  nothing  on  the  surface  to  indicate  that  the 
cityward  tendency  is  unfortunate  for  society  from  this 
point  of  view. 

The  question  of  social  solidarity  almost  answers 
itself.  If  anything,  the  fabric  of  urban  life  is  rather 
too  solid  as  a  whole,  and  more  so  in  its  group  segrega- 
tion. If  it  is  desirable,  as  often  it  is,  to  evoke  the  sense 
of  community  interest  and  develop  community  action  it 
is  more  readily  accomplished  in  the  town  of  2,500  and 
up  than  in  scattered  rural  districts. 

Who  think  more  clearly  on  public  and  social  ques- 
tions, city  or  country  people?  And  which  environment 
is  more  favorable  to  initiative  and  ability  to  carry  out 
convictions?  These  questions,  Avhile  not  precisely 
similar,  run  on  parallel  linos.  Both  turn  largely  on 
mental  alertness  and  range  of  information.  If  town 
folk  live,  on  the  whole,  a  larger  and  fuller  life,  coming 
more  closely  into  contact  with  public  questions  and 
economic  phenomena,  is  it  not  in  them  rather  than  in 
rural  folk  that  we  should  logically  expect  the  greater 
manifestation  of  intellectual  activity,  the  clearer  vision 
of  social  progress,  the  freer  play  of  human  feeling,  the 
readier  welcome  to  innovating  thought  of  every  kind? 
A  study  of  new  progressive  movements  in  all  depart- 
ments,— if  records  were  available,  as  they  are  not — 
would  almost  certainly  show  that  they  came,  as  a  rule, 
out  of  the  ferment  of  city  life. 

As  to  individual  initiative  and  the  power  to  carry 


Digging  to  the  Roots  of  a  Dying  Tree  37 

it  out,  I  happen  to  have  seen  it  put  to  the  test  in  the 
course  of  western  development  a  number  of  times. 
Great  changes  have  come  in  western  methods  of  life, 
including  life  on  the  land,  during  the  past  forty  years. 
Old  industries  have  been  revolutionized ;  new  industries 
created.  So,  also  with  the  institutions  of  social  and 
civic  life.  And  almost  without  exception  leadership  has 
come,  if  not  from  the  city-born  and  bred,  at  least  from 
the  city-trained.  These  men  brought  keen  minds,  sharp- 
ened on  the  city  grindstone.  They  brought  a  brood  of 
new  ideas  that,  in  the  view  of  the  resident  rural  popu- 
lation, would  "never  work";  yet,  they  did  "work," 
broadening  the  foundations  of  general  prosperity,  and 
adding  enormously  to  the  sum  of  individual  and  com- 
munity wealth. 

Old  methods  of  irrigation,  old  kinds  of  crops,  old 
ways  of  harvesting  and  marketing — these  were  not  good 
enough  for  the  sharp-eyed,  keen-brained  men  who  had 
turned  from  the  fierce  rivalries  of  urban  life  to  seek 
success  on  the  soil.  Neither  were  the  old  schools, 
churches,  homes  and  hotels  good  enough  for  them. 
They  craved  better  things.  And,  with  a  swiftness  and 
thoroughness  that  made  the  old  rural  folk  gape  with 
amazement,  they  brought  better  things  to  pass.  And, 
along  with  their  progressive  horticulture,  they  took 
large  doses  of  progressive  politics. 

Without  the  support  of  statistics  (dry  at  best,  and 
often  misleading)  but  with  faitli  founded  on  wide  ob- 
servation, I  can  sa}^  that  human  initiative  loses  nothing 
from  urban  experience. 

Finally,  we  come  to  the  interesting  and  vital  question : 
Which  is  better  for  the  average  person,  the  country 


38  City  Homes  on  Covmtry  Lanes 

or  the  good-sized  town,  from  the  standpoint  of  mere 
joj  of  life?  Apart  from  all  other  considerations,  do 
the  millions  who  have  left  the  country-side  to  make  their 
homes  in  towns,  especially  in  the  big  modern  cities  to 
which  the  larger  portion  have  gone,  get  more  satisfac- 
tion for  their  social  instincts,  more  downright  enjoy- 
ment out  of  the  every-day  experience  of  life,  in  conse- 
quence of  that  change? 

The  mere  fact  of  the  steady  and  ever-growing  trend 
in  that  direction  goes  far  in  the  way  of  an  affirmative 
answer,  because,  after  all,  happiness  is  the  great  desid- 
eratum of  human  existence.  All  the  other  factors  in 
our  problem — health,  earning  power,  mental  and  spir- 
itual development,  and  so  on— are  valuable  as  they 
contribute  to  the  one  great  end,  which  is  the  joy  of 
living. 

From  the  standpoint  of  interest  and  variety,  the 
thrill  of  the  great  town  is  by  no  means  imaginary. 
More  and  more  with  every  passing  year  civilization 
masses  its  choicest  things,  along  with  its  worst,  in  the 
big  centers  of  population.  Its  energies  and  capital  are 
bent  upon  making  the  life  of  the  city  an  even  more 
irresistible  magnet  than  now.  There  are  no  bounds  to 
the  nuinicij)al  aml)ition.  Science  and  art  and  endless 
millions  of  dollars  minister  to  that  aspiration,  which 
yearly  becomes  more  real. 

Consider  the  ])cople's  plaj^grounds,  and,  to  make  it 
concrete,  one  of  the  most  adorable  creations  of  munici- 
]>al  genius  achieved  from  what  once  seemed  the  most 
un])roiiiising  raw  material — Golden  Gate  Park  in  San 
Francisco. 

Nature  made  it  a  desert  of  shifting  sands;  man  con- 


Digging  to  the  Boots  of  a  Dying  Tree  39 

verted  it  into  a  paradise  of  beauty,  comfort  and  utility. 
To-day  it  is  the  joy  of  the  multitude;  the  pride  of  a 
great  democracy ;  the  meeting  ground  where  all  social 
distinctions  disappear  for  one  blessed  day  in  an  atmos- 
phere of  universal  good  will,  for  these  lawns  and  flowers 
and  trees,  these  smiling  lakes  and  winding  roads,  these 
Dutch  windmills,  ponderously  turning  with  the  Trade 
Wind,  these  effigies  of  the  great,  holding  the  precious 
Past  in  firm  hands  of  bronze,  these  wonders  of  the 
world's  zoology,  these  museums  bursting  with  the  treas- 
ures of  Art  and  Science  assembled  from  the  far  corners 
of  the  earth — these  belong  to  all,  to  our  common  hu- 
manity, as  much  as  the  sky  that  bends  above  them,  as 
much  as  the  sunshine  and  the  tonic  air. 

And  this  is  wealth,  spiritual  wealth — the  very  bread 
of  life! 

Go  there  for  the  band  concert  Sunday  afternoon  and 
sit  on  the  comfortable  benches  under  the  trees  with  ten 
thousand  enthralled  music  lovers  about  you — other 
thousands  within  hearing  on  the  wide  lawns.  The^ 
Municipal  Band,  backed  by  a  massive  sounding  board, 
faces  the  throng.  Over  them,  two  great  flags  unfold 
in  the  breeze.  You  see  them,  and  you  are  thrilled — 
they  mean  so  much !  One  is  the  starry  flag,  planted  on 
the  western  border  of  the  Republic ;  the  other,  the  glori- 
ous Bear  Flag  of  California.  You  think  of  the  Argo- 
nauts— yes,  and  of  San  Francisco,  the  city  that  rose  on 
stepping-stones  of  its  dead  past  in  three  brief  years, 
meanwhile  singing  a  song  of  "The  Finest  Ruins." 

The  golden  hours  pass  in  an  atmos})here  that  may 
only  be  described  as  one  of  genuine  spiritual  exaltation. 
You  are  lifted  out  of  yourself,  out  of  the  sordid  things 


40  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

of  everj-day  life ;  you  are  thrilled  through  and  through. 
Is  it  the  music?  The  setting?  Not  wholly,  though  both 
are  fine.  More  than  anything  else,  it  is  the  presence  of 
the  multitude,  of  massed  humanity.  It  is  the  subtle  ex- 
pression of  the  gregarious  instinct,  colored  with  a  con- 
sciousness of  the  divine. 

My  point  is  that  the  experience  is  possible  only  to 
urban  life.  It  requires  people,  masses  of  people;  it 
requires  money,  millions  of  money;  it  requires  lofty 
idealism,  based  on  deep  concern  for  the  common  wel- 
fare and  happiness.  And  these  impulses,  I  insist,  are 
the  product  of  organized  municipal  life,  rather  than  of 
the  unorganized  and  severely  individualistic  forms  of 
a  rural  life  tliat  is  passing  awa}'.  Let  it  go — the  sooner 
the  better! 

I  have  touched  here,  it  is  admitted,  on  a  high  point 
of  city  life,  which  is  by  no  means  one  long  Sunday  in  a 
park  with  band  concerts.  That,  however,  is  but  a 
single  feature  of  a  way  of  life  that  is  replete  with  at- 
tractions appealing  to  tlie  spirit;  with  deep  satisfac- 
tions for  the  hearts  of  average  men  and  women. 

The  big  department  store  is  about  equal  to  the  old 
county  fair  as  an  entertainment,  and  considerably  more 
up  to  date.  Theaters,  restaurants,  lectures,  movies, 
occasional  great  pageants — even  the  frequent  thrilling 
passage  of  fire  engines  through  crowded  streets — add 
to  the  zest  and  charm  of  life.  Those  who  can  spend 
freely  get  the  best  of  it,  perhaps,  yet  evcr^'body  drinks 
at  tiie  fountain  of  city  life.  Even  to  mingle  with  the 
throng  is  somewhat  satisfying,  for  we  resemble  "Helen's 
Babies"  and  like  to  "sec  the  wheels  go  'round."     The 


Digging  to  the  Roots  of  a  Dying  Tree  41 

poorest  can  see  the  swift  revolutions  of  the  city  wheels. 
As  a  penniless  derelict  remarked:  "Anyhow,  I  can  read 
the  hillboards  and  see  what's  going  on !" 

There  is,  of  course,  a  very  charming  side  of  rural 
life,  and  one  that  must  be  preserved  if  civilization  is  to 
remain  sweet  and  wholesome.  But  millions  have  turned 
away  from  it.  "The  proof  of  tlie  pudding  is  the  eating 
thereof."  Millions  born  to  country  pudding  have 
shown  their  marked  preference  for  city  desserts. 

No  man  of  our  time  has  done  so  much  to  keep  alive 
true  love  of  country  life  as  Ray  Stannard  Baker,  or 
"David  Grayson,"  as  he  delights  to  call  himself  in  his 
rural  moods.  He  happens  to  be  one  of  my  most  valued 
friends,  and  I  shall  later  make  use  of  his  actual  experi- 
ence to  demonstrate  my  own  philosophy  of  the  coming 
life  on  the  land. 

We  have  now  examined  the  relative  advantages  of 
urban  and  rural  life  from  a  number  of  different  stand- 
points. Our  finding  is  in  harmony  with  the  obvious  drift 
of  the  times.  From  the  Census  of  1830  to  that  of  1920, 
the  race  between  country  and  town  as  rival  claimants  for 
the  favor  of  a  majority  of  our  people  has  gone  cease- 
lessly on.  Decade  after  decade  the  city  has  rushed 
ahead,  the  country  fallen  back,  until  by  the  latest 
count  the  supremacy  passes  to  the  city.  A  majority 
of  our  hundred  million  people  now  dwell  in  town. 

Why.''    Because — 

A  man  can  make  more  of  himself  in  the  city  than 
in  the  country;  can  earn  more  money;  do  better  for  liis 
cliildren ;  live  in  better  surroundings  ;  drink  deeper  from 
the  cup  of  human  happiness.     The  city  draws  into  its 


42  Citt/  Homes  on  Covmtry  Lanes 

insatiable  maw  the  best  of  all  the  country  produces — 
men  and  food  alike. 

But  let  it  be  understood  that  in  all  I  have  said  I  am 
speaking  of  rural  life  as  it  is,  not  as  it  might  he — not, 
please  God,  as  it  shall  he. 


CHAPTER    II 

THE    LEADING    OF    THE    FALSE    GOD "PRODUCTION" 

ANEW  view  of  the  decline  in  American  rural 
population,  and  the  continued  piling  up  of  the 
people  in  urban  centers,  has  begun  to  gain 
currency.  It  has  found  able  spokesmen.  One  of  the 
most  persuasive  is  Dr.  Rudolph  M.  Binder,  head  of  the 
sociological  department  of  the  University  of  New  York. 
In  a  very  notable  interview,  he  said:  "America  only  is 
following  other  industrial  countries  in  its  tendency  to 
group  the  larger  number  of  its  inhabitants  in  the  cities. 

"In  Belgium  and  in  England  this  period  was  passed 
long  ago ;  Germany  knew  it  about  1910.  It  is  the  inevi- 
table drift  of  all  States  undergoing  transition  from 
agricultural  to  industrial  conditions. 

"Normally  every  country  must  keep  a  sufficient  per- 
centage of  its  population  in  the  rural  districts  to  pro- 
vide enough  food  for  the  whole  population.  This  per- 
centage varies  according  to  the  state  of  civilization  of 
a  country.  In  the  province  of  Bengal,  India,  there  was 
until  recently  90  per  cent  of  the  total  population  in 
country  districts. 

"Those  people,  because  of  primitive  implements  and 
transportation,  were  able  to  produce  just  about  enough 
food  for  themselves.  England,  at  the  other  extreme,  is 
able  to  maintain  approximately  8  per  cent  of  her  people 
in  urban  districts. 

43 


44  City  HoTYies  on  Country  Lanes 

"In  our  own  country  we  have  had  a  preponderantly 
large  percentage  of  population  in  the  country  districts 
as  long  as  means  of  production  were  comparatively 
simple. 

"With  improvements  of  implements  a  smaller  per- 
centage of  people  was  needed  to  produce  food  for  the 
whole  population.  This  percentage  has  grown  smaller 
with  development  of  implements,  latest  of  which  is  the 
tractor.  It  has  been  figured  that  whereas  production 
of  a  bushel  of  wheat  once  took  two  hours,  the  time  in 
1920  was  reduced  to  eight  minutes.  I  venture  to  say 
that  time  now  is  shortened  by  half. 

"It  is  interesting  to  note  notwithstanding  over  51 
per  cent  of  our  people  lived  in  urban  districts,  the 
largest  bumper  crop  in  our  history  was  produced  last 
year." 

In  his  statement,  which  disposed  of  any  "back  to  the 
farm"  movement  as  impossible.  Dr.  Binder  said  if  those 
thrown  out  of  their  jobs  in  the  fields  by  highly  devel- 
oped machinery  should  attempt  to  remain  in  rural  dis- 
tricts, producing  crops  far  above  the  demand,  prices 
would  be  forced  so  low  that  farming  would  cease  to  pay. 

He  went  on : 

"Our  capacity  for  consuming  food  is  limited.  But 
our  capacity  for  consumption  of  manufactured  articles, 
such  as  erstwhile  farmers  turn  out  instead  of  vegetables 
and  fruits,  is  practically  unlimited.  Three  or  four 
square  meals  a  day  is  our  limit,  but  we  may  change 
our  coats  a  dozen  times !  AVe  may  eat  only  a  dollar's 
worth  of  food  daily,  yet  we  spend  a  thousand  dollars 
for  a  single  table!" 


The  Leading  of  the  False  God — '"Production''      45 

About  the  physical  aspect  of  the  cityward  movement, 
Dr.  Binder  had  this  to  say: 

"Time  was  when  the  city  seemed  a  regular  graveyard 
for  her  beings.  But  hygiene  and  sanitation  have  been 
introduced;  statistics  of  the  recent  war  proved  that 
our  city  boys  are  equal  to  the  country  product  in 
vitality,  while  surpassing  them  in  mentality." 

With  his  statement  concerning  the  physical  and  men- 
tal results  of  urban  life  I  am,  of  course,  in  perfect 
accord;  it  is  precisely  what  we  found  in  the  preceding 
chapter.  But,  with  the  rest  of  his  statement — both  as 
to  spii'it  and  as  to  facts,  but  especially  as  to  spirit — 
I  profoundly  disagree. 

First,  the  facts:  Machinery  is  relied  upon  to  make 
good  the  deficiency  of  man-power  on  the  farm.  America 
has  long  had  the  advantage  of  superior  agricultural 
implements  and  machinery ;  and,  as  a  consequence,  leads 
the  world  in  production  per  man.  But  she  lags  far 
behind  in  production  per  acre,  possibly  because  the 
machine  can  not  quite  take  the  place  of  the  man  ia 
getting  the  soil  to  do  its  best.  In  other  words,  we  may 
be  dying  on  the  land  economically,  as  well  as  socially 
and  spiritually,  because  of  an  overdose  of  machinery. 
At  any  rate,  until  labor-saving  devices  bring  our  per- 
acre  production  much  nearer  the  European  standard 
than  it  is  now,  we  cannot  safely  disregard  the  constant 
loss  of  man-power  on  the  land  and  rely  on  machinery 
to  take  its  place  in  the  vital  matter  of  food  production. 

We  saw  that  Michigan  lost  46,000  men  from  her 
farms  in  two  recent  years ;  that  she  now  has  an  average 
of  only  eleven  men  and  boys  for  each  ten  farms.  Is 
it  certain — is  it  even  conceivable — that  machinery  has 


46  City  Homes  on  Covmiry  Lanes 

been  invented  to  perform  all  the  varied  farm  tasks 
formerly  done  by  those  vanished  hands?  Even  if  so, 
are  there  men  and  boys  enough  left  to  run  the  machines? 
May  not  Michigan,  like  Massachusetts,  soon  have  less 
rural  people  than  England,  with  the  8  per  cent  that 
Dr.  Binder  regards  as  the  hall-mark  of  her  civilization? 
And,  by  the  way,  England  would  soon  starve  with- 
out the  food  that  flows  from  her  overseas  dominions — 
the  flow  of  which  Germany  nearly  stopped  with  her 
submarines.  The  cost  of  her  enormous  Navy  is  part 
of  the  price  England  pays  for  the  glorious  privilege 
of  agricultural  isolation. 

We  saw  that  in  one  short  year  Ohio  lost  30  per  cent 
of  her  men  and  boys  from  the  farm,  while  the  number 
of  habitable  farmhouses  increased  61  per  cent.  At 
that  rate,  another  two  years  would  leave  her  farms 
practically  bare.  Who  will  buy  and  operate  the  ma- 
chinery when  there  is  literally  "nobody  home"? 

In  three  of  the  six  years  from  1914  to  1920,  despite 
the  enormous  stimulation  of  war  prices  and  wages, 
pcr-capita  production  fell  below  the  pre-war  period; 
and  we  had  more  and  better  farm  machinery  in  use 
than  ever  before.  The  area  of  land  in  cultivation  in 
the  entire  country  in  1921  is  5  per  cent  less  than  in 
1920;  a  rate  of  decrease  which  would  wipe  out  Ameri- 
can agriculture  in  20  years. 

The  average  annual  increase  in  population  is  2 
per  cent;  our  total  area  of  cultivated  lands  (1920 
Census),  478,451,750  acres.  On  the  basis  of  present 
production  per  acre  it  would  be  necessary  to  increase 
the  area  of  cultivated  lands  6,369,403.17  acres  every 
year;  or,  17,450.41  acres  every  day,  in  order  to  main- 


The  Leading  of  the  False  God — ''Production''''       47 

tain  our  total  agricultural  output  at  its  present  stand- 
ard. If  the  nation  is  to  go  on  growing,  while  the 
farmers  continue  to  abandon  their  fields  for  the  crowded 
streets  of  the  city,  it  is  obvious  that  the  inventors  and 
manufacturers  of  machinery  that  is  to  supplant  the 
human  race  must  work  overtime. 

The  child-like  faith  of  those  who  declare  that  ma- 
chinery may  safely  be  relied  upon  to  feed  our  peo- 
ple and  sustain  our  export  trade  is  buttressed  by 
no  facts  and  figures.  It  is  not  tlms  with  the  friends 
of  reclamation  and  land  settlement — the  champioiis 
of  the  three-century-old  policy  of  continental  con- 
quest that  made  America  what  it  is  to-day.  One  of 
the  most  enlightened  of  these  champions,  Douglas  W. 
Ross,  C.  E.,  has  recently  said: 

"Assuming  a  rate  of  increase  of  15  per  cent  per 
decade  for  the  next  20  years,  as  against  16  per  cent 
for  the  one  just  ended,  and  21  per  cent  for  the  one 
next  preceding,  the  population  of  the  United  States 
will  be  about  140,000,000  by  1940;  and  assuming  an 
increase  of  25  per  cent  per  decade  in  our  urban  popu- 
lation, which  is  considerably  less  than  the  average  since 
1900,  about  60  per  cent,  or  85,000,000  of  these  people 
will  be  living  in  towns  and  cities,  with  55,000,000  in  the 
country — an  increase  of  less  than  4,000,000  in  the  pres- 
ent rural  population." 

And  Mr.  Ross  estimates  that  merely  to  maintain  the 
present  balance  of  urban  and  rural  population,  as  dis- 
closed by  the  latest  census,  will  demand  130,000,000 
new  acres  of  cultivated  land  in  the  next  20  years. 

Mr.  Sheldon  S.  Cline  consulted  the  highest  authorities 
of  the  Department  of  Agriculture  at  Wasliington,  in 


48  City  Homes  on  Cotmtry  Lanes 

February,  1920,  asking  such  searching  questions  as 
the  following: 

"Is  the  great  industrial  structure  which  America  is 
erecting  in  danger  of  toppling  over  because  there  is 
not  beneath  it  the  foundation  of  an  adequate  and  as- 
sured food  supply? 

"Must  the  cost  of  living  mount  higher  and  ever 
higher  because  farm  production  is  diminishing,  while 
the  population  of  cities  and  industrial  centers  con- 
stantly increases? 

"Is  the  time  approaching  when  the  United  States 
must  depend  upon  overseas  imports  of  staple  food- 
stuffs, and,  therefore,  be  at  the  possible  mercy  of  an 
enemy  in  war? 

"Is  it  possible,  in  short,  that  this  country  may  know 
that  fear  of  famine  which  always  has  Europe  in  its 
grip,  and  which  was  one  of  the  chief  underlying  causes 
of  the  greatest  of  all  wars?" 

Never  before  were  such  questions  asked  in  respect 
to  America.  A  few  years  ago  they  would  have  con- 
victed any  journalist  of  mental  incompetency.  To-day 
they  are  seriously  entertained  by  those  whose  fingers 
are  on  the  pulse  of  American  agriculture,  and  who 
have  begun  to  count  that  pulse,  as  a  physician  counts 
the  pulse  of  a  very  sick  man. 

Mr.  Cline  was  told  that  for  the  first  time  in  history 
"America  sees  the  approach  of  a  condition  like  that 
which  has  kept  Europe  in  agony  for  a  century — the 
pressure  of  population  on  food  supplies;  that  while 
we  are  yet  unconscious  of  it,  and  still  less  of  its  causes, 
it  has  started  gnawing  at  our  vitals,  and  in  the  absence 
of  a  remedy,  will  spread  rapidly." 


The  Leading  of  the  False  God — ''Production'"       49 

The  conclusion  reached  by  the  liighest  Government 
authority  is  that,  allowing  for  all  the  machinery  and 
improved  metliods  we  have  or  are  likely  to  have,  another 
15  years  will  see  America  absolutely  dependent  upon 
the  outside  world  for  food.     To  quote  Mr.  Cline: 

"Fifteen  years  is  the  period  of  grace  given  us,  un- 
less conditions  change  materially,  before  we  will  become 
dependent  upon  overseas  imports  of  bread  and  meat 
and  other  staple  foodstuffs. 

"Fifteen  years  before  the  peril  of  famine  may  hang 
like  a  black  shadow  over  the  land ! 

"Fifteen  years  before  keeping  the  ocean-ways  open 
to  our  food  ships  may  be  vital  to  our  national  life, 
calling  for  armaments  which  would  be  an  ever-increas- 
ing burden ! 

"And  it  is  fifteen  years  we  have  in  which  to  evolve 
and  put  in  operation  an  agricultural  policy  which  shall 
save  us  from  the  fate  of  Europe." 

Fifteen  momentous  years,  big  with  the  fate  of  Ameri- 
can civilization ! 

So  far  as  the  facts  are  concerned,  the  answer  to  the 
new  school  of  thought  that  sees  nothing  unfortunate 
in  the  rotting  away  of  our  rural  foundations,  is  that 
they  are  not  facts.  Even  from  the  standpoint  of  pro- 
duction, machinery  is  not  now  making  good  the  loss 
of  man-power  on  the  farm;  machinery  is  not  now  pro- 
viding a  barrier  between  our  people  and  prohibitive 
cost  of  living;  machinery  is  not  now  preserving  the 
nation  against  the  danger  of  dependence  on  foreign 
food  supplies  within  the  next  two  decades.  In  the 
judgment  of  those  who  are  in  the  best  position  to  form 


50  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

an  intelligent  opinion,  the  day  is  remote  when  ma- 
chinery will  be  equal  to  these  demands.  Those  who 
hold  the  contrar3'  view  represent  a  mistaken  and  dan- 
gerous philosophy.  If  it  became  prevailing  public 
opinion,  it  would  speedily  create  a  greater  menace  to 
America's  position  in  the  world,  a  greater  menace  to 
the  continued  independence  of  her  people,  than  hostile 
fleets  lying  without  her  ports,  or  hostile  armies  march- 
ing across  her  soil.  We  should  overwhelm  the  fleets 
and  defeat  the  armies,  but  an  influence  that  undermines 
the  character  of  our  citizenship  is  an  influence  which, 
if  permitted  to  work  out  to  logical  conclusions,  would 
destroy  the  basis  of  our  free  institutions.  And  that 
would  be  the  end  of  America  as  it  exists  to-day. 

Those  who  feel  otherwise  are  following  a  false  god — • 
the  god  of  Material  Production.  Wrong  as  to  their 
facts,  they  are  infinitely  more  so  in  the  spirit  of  their 
contention,  which  would  sacrifice  all  other  good  to  a 
single  consideration.  They  would  fill  the  nation's 
stomach  at  the  cost  of  the  nation's  soul ;  though  not, 
of  course,  with  conscious  intent.  They  have  convinced 
themselves  that  the  people  can  be  fed  by  machinery, 
while  everybody  lives  in  town,  wearing  "a  dozen  coats 
a  day,"  and  dining  from  "$l,()00-tables."  How  average 
folks  are  to  get  the  price  of  the  coats  and  tables — 
whether  by  socialism  or  not — they  fail  to  state;  but, 
if  the  time  shall  ever  come  when  we  depend  on  machines 
for  food,  it  will  also  be  time  for  the  people  to  resume 
the  ownershij)  of  tlie  land  and  to  acquire  the  ownership 
of  the  iiiacliiiies.  On  no  other  terms  could  democracy 
survive  in  America. 

Production  is  not  the  first,  but  the  secondary  con- 


The  Leading  of  the  False  God — "'Production''       51 

sidoration  in  any  properly  conceived  scheme  of  life. 
The  first  consideration  is  the  independent  home  on 
the  land,  which  may,  or  may  not,  he  a  farm  home.  The 
point  is  that  we  want  a  landed  citizenship,  rooted  in 
the  real  proprietorship  of  the  country,  and  bound  to 
it  by  the  strongest  ties  of  interest  and  affection.  The 
loss  of  the  family  hearthstone  carries  a  deep  menace  to 
the  future  of  our  institutions.  Under  the  leadership 
of  the  false  god,  Production,  we  are  going  fast  and  far 
in  that  direction.  This  tendency  should  be  reversed 
rather  than  encouraged. 

True,  we  nuist  be  fed;  but  man  docs  not  live  by 
bread  alone.  It  is  neither  wise  nor  necessary  that  we 
should  be  fed  under  a  system  of  agriculture  that  de- 
stroys the  home  on  the  land,  abolishes  popular  pro- 
prietorship, creates  a  nation  of  tenants,  cripples  indi- 
vidual initiative,  shackles  the  spirit  of  family  inde- 
pendence, and  degrades  the  character  of  our  citizen- 
ship. These  are  the  swift  and  sure  consequences  of 
rural  depopulation  on  one  hand,  and  the  growth  of 
congested  cities  on  the  other. 

It  by  no  means  follows  that  machinery  can  be  ignored 
as  a  factor  in  agricultural  production.  Doubtless  in- 
ventive genius  will  go  forward  in  that  field,  as  in  all 
other  departments  of  civilization.  Whatever  it  can 
do  cheaper  and  better  than  human  hands,  machinery 
will  do  in  the  future,  as  in  the  past,  and  on  a  constantly 
expanding  scale.  But,  at  whatever  cost,  it  must  be 
made  subordinate  to  the  higher  good  of  humanity,  as 
we  shall  see  in  subsequent  chapters. 

We  have  entered  upon  a  critical  period  in  American 
liistory,  and  in  nothing  more  so  than  on  the  side  of  our 


52  City  Homes  on  Cowntry  Lanes 

rural  civilization,  to  which  the  institutions  of  our  urban 
life  are  now  closely  related.  We  can  follow  no  farther 
the  false  god  of  materialism,  as  represented  by  the 
complacent  philosophy  which  subordinates  all  the  other 
interests  of  society  to  the  one  thought  of  production, 
without  imminent  peril  to  the  most  precious  ideals  of 
American  life. 

What  profiteth  a  nation,  any  more  than  a  man,  to 
gain  the  whole  world  and  lose  its  soul?  And  that  is  the 
stake — the  soul  of  America — embodied  in  the  homes 
of  her  people,  with  all  the  elements  of  human  freedom, 
of  social  welfare,  of  intellectual  and  spiritual  growth, 
that  cluster  about  the  family  hearthstone. 


CHAPTER  III 

"a  plague  on  both  youe  houses" 

THE  truth  of  the  matter  is  that  neither  rural 
nor  urban  life,  as  now  organized,  meets  the  test 
of  American  ideals,  as  mentioned  in  the  previous 
chapter. 

We  have  seen  how  rural  life,  speaking  broadly  of 
average  conditions  throughout  the  nation,  fails  to  meet 
the  test.  It  fails  alike  on  the  economic,  the  social, 
the  intellectual,  and  the  spiritual  sides.  In  all  these 
respects  it  must  undergo  a  thorough,  though  doubtless 
gradual,  process  of  reorganization  before  it  can  meas- 
ure up  to  the  highest  ideals  of  Twentieth  Century 
America. 

City  life,  and  especially  the  life  of  the  great  city — 
again  speaking  in  broad  terms — supplies  a  more  inter- 
esting experience,  and  yields  more  satisfaction  to  aver- 
age humanity.  Yet,  the  city,  too,  falls  very  far  short 
of  meeting  the  highest  test.  With  all  its  advantages 
in  the  way  of  scientific  hygiene  and  sanitation,  of 
schools,  hospitals,  public  parks,  opportunities  for  rec- 
reation and  amusement  of  every  sort — it  yet  fails, 
when  considered  from  the  standpoint  of  ideal  American 
citizenship. 

What  we  want  is  the  largest  measure  of  individual 
freedom  consistent  with  the  general  progress  and  wel- 
fare of  society.     This   high   element   of   citizensliip  is 

53 


54  City  Homes  on  Cowntry  Lanes 

more  and  more  imperiled  by  the  conditions  of  urban 
life. 

Almost  ever^^body  lives  in  rented  premises,  paying 
tribute  to  a  landlord,  and  becoming  the  victim  rather 
than  the  beneficiary  of  the  increment  in  land  values 
their  presence  creates.  The  widest  possible  diffusion 
of  home-ownership  is  one  of  the  essentials  of  a  whole- 
some national  existence.  City  life,  as  now  organized, 
holds  out  no  hope  in  this  respect.  Already,  in  some  of 
the  greater  cities,  95  per  cent  of  the  population  is 
utterly  landless ;  and,  in  the  sense  of  any  security  of 
tenure,  utterly  homeless.  It  is  a  condition  that  strikes 
at  the  roots  of  human  freedom. 

Almost  everybody  works  for  wages,  and  is  thus  de- 
pendent on  the  enterprise,  the  life,  the  fortune — even 
the  whim — of  some  one  else,  for  a  means  of  livelihood. 
This  also  is  a  condition  which  makes  against  freedom, 
even  in  the  days  of  youth  and  strength.  When  middle 
age  is  passed,  and  old  age  begins  to  loom  upon  the 
liorizon,  the  carking  thought  of  uncertainty  for  the 
future  becomes  like  "the  pestilence  that  walketh  in  dark- 
ness ;  the  destruction  that  wasteth  at  noonday" ;  a 
veritable  "terror  by  night." 

There  can  be  no  true  freedom,  no  abiding  happiness 
and  content,  without  some  measure  of  security  of  life. 
The  family  that  docs  not  own  the  roof  over  its  head; 
that  has  no  control  of  the  occupation,  or  employment 
on  which  it  depends  for  daily  bread,  is  living  in  a  state 
of  insecurity,  and  facing  an  unknown  future.  Such 
is  the  condition  of  a  very  large  projjortion  of  all  of  the 
millions  that  have  been  absorbed  by  the  resistless  forces 
of  city  life.     T>et  the  cup  of  their  daily  enjoyment  be 


"A  Plague  on  Both  Your  Houses"  55 

never  so  full,  these  bitter  dregs  He  at  the  bottom  of  it. 

The  average  urban  family  is  entirely  defenseless 
against  rising  living  costs  in  the  matter  of  rent  and 
food.  Rent  is  based  on  land  values ;  land  values  rise 
v/ith  increasing  population.  The  price  of  food  is  closely 
related  to  the  growing  disproportion  between  con- 
sumers and  producers,  resulting  from  urban  congestion. 

Completely  detached  from  the  soil,  with  a  long  line 
of  transportation  agencies  and  trafficking  middlemen 
between  the  farm  and  their  own  tables,  the  swarming 
city  populations  stand  as  liclpless  before  the  cost  of 
living  as  an  unarmed  mob  before  an  army  of  profes- 
sional soldiers,  trained  and  equipped  to  the  minute. 
They  can  only  pay  the,  price  or  go  without.  Every 
element  of  the  problem  lies  far  beyond  their  reach. 

These  are  not  the  only  drawbacks  of  city  life.  It 
tends  to  wither,  if  not  to  destroy,  personal  initiative, 
just  as  it  hampers  and  limits  the  spirit  of  individual 
independence.  While  it  is  doubtless  true  that  the  city 
offers  many  interesting  tasks,  and  opens  the  door  to 
many  channels  of  promotion,  it  is  equally  true  that  the 
vast  majority  of  workers  in  factories,  department 
stores  and  offices,  feel  tlie  deadening  effect  of  a  merely 
mechanical  routine.  They  are  cogs  in  a  big  machine, 
often  dealing  with  only  a  very  small  portion  of  the 
process  that  goes  on  in  the  establisliment  as  a  whole. 

To  shake  them  out  of  this  lethargy,  born  of  the 
steady  tramp  of  factory,  store  and  office  drill ;  to  re- 
store their  initiative,  and  with  it  their  creative  facul- 
ties ;  to  stir  the  passion  for  new  adventure ;  to  give 
them  a  measure,  at  least,  of  individual  independence, 
a  measure  of  control  over  their  cost  of  living;  to  make 


56  C^iy  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

them  proprietors  of  the  ground  on  which  they  dwell, 
instead  of  mere  tenants  at  will — and  thus  the  benefi- 
ciaries, rather  than  the  victim  of  land  values  created 
by  the  presence,  the  labors  and  the  investment  of 
society  as  a  whole;  to  do  all  this,  while  enabling  them 
still  to  retain  the  unquestioned  advantage  of  city  life, 
including  their  hold  on  the  payroll — this  is  the  inspir- 
ing task  that  awaits  the  genius  of  American  citizenship. 
This,  too,  is  the  logical  beginning  of  a  process  which, 
before  the  present  century  shall  have  passed  into  his- 
tory, will  effect  a  far-reaching  transformation  in  the 
whole  rural  life  of  the  nation.  For  man's  passion  for 
the  soil  is  to  be  born  again.  He  is  to  revive  his  primary 
love  of  nature  and  all  its  works ;  to  renew  his  com- 
panionship with  Mother  Earth,  and  thereby  to  renew, 
to  broaden,  and  to  sweeten  his  own  existence. 

As  in  the  past  half-century  the  country  has  been  the 
nursery  of  the  city,  so  in  the  next  half-century,  the 
city  will  be  the  nursery  of  the  country.  The  movement 
will  not  be  "Back  to  the  Land,"  but  Forward  to  better 
things  than  men  have  ever  known  in  the  past.  Pro- 
duction, important  as  it  is,  will  be  merely  incidental  to 
the  evolution  of  higher  forms  of  social  and  economic  life, 
with  a  great  deal  of  emphasis  on  family  life — its  hearth- 
stone restored ;  its  altars  relighted. 

These  things  will  come  to  pass,  because  they  are 
essential  to  the  ])reservation  and  continued  development 
of  democracy  in  America. 


CHAPTER  IV 

GETTING    THE   RURAL    SAVOR    INTO    CITY   I.IFE 

I   wish  you   joy  of  this   and   that; 

The   new  look   from  a  path's  quick  turni 

The  sunshine  on  the  long  home  street. 

The   imexpected    fern ; — 

I   wish  you  power  to  draw  delight 

Because  a  how  hlows   so — or   so; — 

I  wish  you  joy  of  everything — 

Of  all  the  living,  singing  lands, 

And  of  the  smiling,  sleeping  sky 

That  no  one  understands — 

Zona   Oale. 

TURNING  now  from  the  negative  to  the  positive 
side  of  our  suhject — from  the  god-of-things-as- 
they-are  to  the  god-of-things-as-they-ought-to- 
be — let  us  consider  to  what  extent  it  is  possible  to  put 
country  scents  into  city  air.  Our  quest  is  for  a  way 
of  life  that  may  be  brought  within  reach  of  the  multi- 
tude, giving  them  a  richer  and  fuller  experience  than 
they  now  enjoy.  It  must  be  an  experience  compre- 
hending more  than  creature  comforts ;  more,  even,  than 
social  satisfaction  and  intellectual  opportunity.  It 
must  square  with  the  great  ideals  of  American  life. 

Now,  there  are  some  people  in  this  world  so  fortu- 
nately circumstanced  that  they  determine  their  own 
way  of  life;  they  do  as  they  please.  Often  they  hap- 
pen to  be  people  of  taste  and  refinement,  blessed  with 
a  liberal  education,  since  those  advantages   naturally 

57 


58  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

go  with  large  means.  It  will  be  interesting,  and  perhaps 
illuminating,  to  inquire  what  such  people  have  found 
to  be  the  ideal  way  of  living. 

Up  to  a  generation  ago,  this  element  largely  pre- 
ferred the  city,  with  a  strong  leaning  toward  brown- 
stone  fronts.  Their  summers  were  spent  at  great  re- 
sorts, in  hotels  or  rented  cottages.  They  were  of  the 
town,  townish;  and  almost  wholly  lacking  in  rural 
affiliations  of  any  sort.  But,  in  the  last  two  or  three 
decades,  the  mental  attitude  of  the  extremely  well-to-do 
has  radically  changed.  It  happened  about  the  time  we 
began  to  build  good  roads,  run  automobiles,  and  de- 
velop other  means  of  rapid  transit.  These  well-to-do 
people  then  discovered  a  new  love  of  rural  life.  To  have 
a  country  home  then  became  the  proper  thing.  In 
many  instances  the  city  mansion  has  been  disposed  of, 
or  torn  down  to  make  room  for  a  skyscraper  or  an 
apartment  house,  and  the  place  in  tlie  country  has  be- 
come the  real  home  of  the  family,  which  retains  in 
town  only  an  option  on  desirable  hotel  rooms,  or  pos- 
sibly an  apartment  among  tlie  cliil'-dwellers. 

These  comfortable  folk,  who  do  as  they  please  be- 
cause they  have  the  price,  have  decided  that  the  way 
to  acliieve  the  utmost  satisfaction  is  to  be  of  the  city, 
but  not  vn  the  city.  They  are  distinctly  metropolitan 
in  their  business  interests,  and  in  a  part  of  their  social 
interests,  as  well;  but  tliey  have  learned  that  the  way 
to  get  the  most  out  of  tlie  city  is  to  come  to  it  each 
morning,  after  a  restful  night  among  the  sights  and 
sounds  of  the  country;  and  that  the  way  to  get  the 
most  out  of  the  country  is  to  go  to  it  each  night  after 


Getting  the  Rural  Savor  into  City  Life         59 

a  strenuous  day  in  town,  to  discover  its  beauties  afresh, 
with  a  httle  shock  of  joyful  surprise. 

My  proposition  is  this :  If  that  is  a  good  thing  for 
some  of  the  people,  and  particularly  for  those  who 
can  have  the  best  there  is  in  life,  then  it  is  a  good 
thing  for  vastly  more  of  the  people  who  would  do  it 
if  they  could.  And  to  make  it  possible  for  them  to 
do  it  is  a  part,  and  a  very  urgent  part,  of  the  job 
awaiting  the  builders  of  America. 

It  is  perfectly  true,  of  course,  that  there  are  many 
who  would  not  care  for  that  sort  of  thing.  Herbert 
Quick  has  given  us  an  exceedingly  serviceable  phrase, 
when  he  speaks  of  the  "city-minded"  and  then  of  the 
"country-minded."  I  venture  to  say  that  few  people 
realize  to  what  extent  the  country-minded  predominate 
among  the  dwellers  in  great  cities.  They  are  legion — • 
these  men  and  women  who  turn  wistful  eyes  from  dens 
in  office  buildings,  from  caves  in  apartment  houses, 
toward  the  open  spaces — dreaming  that  some  day  they 
will  have  a  little  home  of  their  own.  They  send  for 
seed  catalogues — and  dream;  attend  poultry  shows — 
and  dream ;  observe  fat  squabs  in  the  market — and 
dream ;  make  furtive  sketches  in  idle  moments  of  un- 
built cottages  and  unplantcd  gardens — and  dream. 
Some  of  thein,  but  by  no  means  all,  came  originally 
from  the  country,  and  look  back  lovingly  to  the  scenes 
of  their  childhood.  Whetlicr  country  or  city  bred,  they 
all  thrill  to  the  thought  of  the  vine  and  fig  tree,  of 
the  family  hearthstone  that  survives  the  mutability  of 
the  years.  The  thing  is  in  the  blood  of  the  race.  It  is 
primal  instinct,  of  which  men  are  daily   reminded  by 


60  Citi/  Homes  on  Covmtry  Lanes 

their  metropolitan  environment.  To  walk  the  pave- 
ment is  to  think  of  pressing  the  turf.  To  get  a  glimpse 
of  sunrise,  or  of  the  reddening  evening  sky  across  the 
waste  of  city  roofs,  is  to  dream  of  the  place  where  the 
whole  glorious  spectacle  is  unfurled  to  them  who  have 
eyes  to  see. 

Yes,  the  country-minded  constitute  an  innumerable 
caravan  in  all  the  big  cities  of  the  land.  If,  like  the 
people  in  easy  circumstances,  they  could  do  as  they 
wish,  they  would  take  the  cream  of  the  city  and  the 
cream  of  the  country,  leaving  the  skim-milk  for  those 
who  like  that  sort  of  thing;  or,  perhaps,  can  do  no 
better.  They  are  withheld  from  the  satisfaction  of 
this  natural  instinct  almost  entirely  by  economic  con- 
siderations. They  are  attached  to  the  city  payroll 
and  would  not  dare  to  let  go.  Neither  have  they  the 
capital  nor  the  genius  for  organization  requisite  to 
attain  the  better  way  of  life. 

Municipality,  State  and  nation  know  there  is  an 
unsolved  "housing  problem."  They  do  not  know  that 
there  is  latent  in  tlie  hearts  of  men  a  desire  and  a 
spirit  that  would  cover  the  earth  with  genuine  homes 
if  it  could  but  find  inspiring  leadership.  But  this  is 
getting  ahead  of  our  story. 

"David  Grayson" — as  I  have  hinted  in  earlier  pages 
• — is  the  voice  of  the  landless  multitude  pent  up  in  city 
quarters,  converted  into  something  approximating 
human  jam  twice  each  day,  as  it  goes  to  and  from 
its  work  on  street-cars,  yet  ever  dreaming  of  tlie  joys 
of  the  countryside.  No  man  since  Thoreau  has  done 
so  mucli  to  put  spiritual  vision  into  the  common  life 
in  rehition  to  rural  experience.     He  is,  however,  not  a 


Getting  the  Rural  Savor  into  City  Life         61 

type  of  rural  citizenship,  but  a  luminous  example  of 
that  rich  and  satisfying  blend  of  city  and  country  life 
that  is  the  essence  of  what  I  am  saying.  He  divides  his 
time  between  New  York  and  Washington,  London  and 
Paris,  on  the  one  hand,  and,  on  the  other,  his  dear 
little  farm  in  the  Connecticut  Valley  of  Massachusetts. 

It  is  my  theory,  and  also  my  conviction,  that  his 
home  in  the  valley  would  not  seem  half  so  sweet,  nor 
liis  senses  half  so  keen,  if  he  did  not  come  there  from 
the  noise  and  bustle  of  the  town  to  hoe  a  row  of  corn 
while  listening  to  the  music  of  the  birds  and  breathing 
the  incense  from  the  earth;  to  walk  beneath  the  shade 
of  his  trees ;  to  smile,  as  he  hears  the  cackle  of  thd 
hens,  or  the  cheerful  munching  of  the  old  mare  at  her 
meal ;  to  chat  with  Harriet  on  the  porch,  or  drink 
from  the  brook  before  he  sits  down  to  stretch  his  legs. 
"There  is  a  poem  in  stretched  legs,"  he  tells  us.  That 
is  a  poem,  I  think,  bom  of  Broadway,  as  much  as  of 
the  corn-rows  and  the  new  ditch  across  the  meadow. 
I  insist  upon  full  credit  for  Broadway! 

Let  me  drive  it  in,  because  it  is  a  vital  point :  With- 
out Broadway,  the  valley  farm  would  not  be  the  joy 
it  is ;  nor  would  Broadway  be  so  interesting,  so  sig- 
nificant, without  the  valley  farm.  This  is  the  verdict 
of  the  fortunate  who  may  do  as  they  choose.  Is  it  not, 
then,  sound  gospel  for  the  rest  of  us? 

To  take  another  example :  A  big  New  York  business 
man  wrote  a  magazine  article  that  attracted  wide  at- 
tention, though  the  theme,  "Farming  vs.  Golf,"  seemed 
simple  enough.  He  had  been  in  the  habit  of  playing 
golf   (and  naively  insists  that  he  was  a  pretty   fair 


62  City  Homes  on  Cowntry  Lanes 

player,  too),  but  when  the  War  came  on  it  suddenly 
occurred  to  him  that  he  might  discover  a  form  of 
exercise  of  more  creative  character — possibly  a  more 
valuable  contribution  to  his  country's  need — than  pok- 
ing little  white  balls  across  a  field. 

He  bought  an  abandoned  farm  in  the  hills  of  West- 
ern Connecticut  and  proceeded  to  raise  food  for  his 
family  and  the  public.  He  tells  us  that  his  entire  in- 
vestment was  not  much  in  excess  of  the  entrance  fee 
required  by  one  of  the  exclusive  golf  clubs  near  New 
York;  yet  the  abandoned  farm  turned  out  to  be  a 
pa3ang  investment.  That,  however,  was  the  smallest 
of  his  satisfactions.  He  turned  over  a  new  page  in 
his  experience.  He  was  like  the  colored  girl,  who, 
speaking  of  the  dinners  provided  by  her  young  man, 
said:  "He  found  an  appetite  on  me  I  didn't  know  I 
had." 

The  successful  man  of  large  affairs  became  an  en- 
thusiastic farmer.  He  went  after  the  record  as  to 
quality  and  quantity  of  his  crops,  and  returned  from 
the  county  fair  bedecked  with  blue  ribbons.  He  found, 
moreover,  better  exercise  and  more  mental  diversion  in 
reclaiming  these  abandoned  acres  than  he  had  ever 
known  on  the  golf  field.  He  discovered  that  there  was 
no  such  food  as  the  food  of  his  own  raising;  and  while 
he  spends  many  months  of  the  year  in  his  city  home, 
even  there  he  is  followed  by  a  stream  of  fresh  eggs, 
milk  and  fat  chickens,  vegetables,  fruit  and  preserves, 
from  the  farm.  Listening  to  him  as  he  talks,  one  would 
think  the  home  in  the  Connecticut  hills  the  main  object 
of  liis  existence,  and  the  great  business  over  which  he 


Getting  the  Rural  Savor  into  City  Life         63 

presides,  with  its  branch  houses  in  several  American 
cities,  as  well  as  in  London,  Melbourne  and  Bombay, 
only  a  secondary  consideration. 

His  magazine  article  struck  a  responsive  chord  in 
many  hearts,  and  brought  him  many  letters  of  ap- 
preciation, one  of  which  I  wrote  from  my  office  in  the 
Department  of  the  Interior  at  Washington.  Probably 
this  book  would  not  have  been  written  at  this  time  ex- 
cept for  that  incident,  which  is  my  excuse  for  the  fol- 
lowing quotation : 

"Your  philosophy  has  a  distinct  bearing  on  the 
garden  city  plans  we  are  considering  here.  The  num- 
ber of  persons  who  can  purchase  and  improve  aban- 
doned farms,  and  give  them  the  necessary  attention, 
is  comparatively  small,  and  I  fear  it  always  will  be; 
but  the  home-in-a-garden  which  we  have  in  mind,  where 
the  man  will  own  an  acre  or  two  of  ground  and  be 
shown  how  to  make  the  most  of  it  by  intensive  means — 
applying  not  only  to  the  soil  but  to  various  kinds  of 
livestock — will  enable  multitudes  to  take  your  prescrip- 
tion of  good,  useful  and  productive  work  instead  of 
play. 

"The  people  to  whom  I  refer  are  probably  not  golf- 
players  now,  but  they  are  in  need  of  rural  experience, 
and  hunger  for  some  touch  of  the  open  spaces." 

He  thought  it  good  philosophy  and  called  for  a 
program.  I  answered:  "It  would  take  a  book."  He 
retorted,  "Then  by  all  means  write  it." 

Our  problem,  then,  is  to  get  the  rural  savor  into 
city  life;  to  open  the  way  to  homes  on  the  land  for 
the  multitude  of  our  country-minded  now  living  within 


64  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

city  walls ;  to  bring  within  reach  of  all  who  desire  it, 
the  experience  of  David  Grayson  and  of  our  New  York 
business  man.  The  limitations  as  to  capital  and  leisure 
mentioned  in  my  letter  must  be  kept  in  mind.  It  is 
clearly  a  job  of  social  engineering. 
But — it  can  be  done! 


CHAPTER  V 

THE   INVISIBLE    CITY   OF   HOMES 

These  are  the  things  I  prize 

And  hold  of  dearest  worth: 
Light  of  the  sapphire  skies, 

Peace  of  the  silent  hills. 
Shelter    of    forests,    comfort    of    the    grass, 

Music  of  birds,  murmur  of  little  rills, 
Shadows   of  clouds   that  swiftly  pass. 

And  after  showers 
The    smell    of    flowers 

And  of  the  good  brown  earth: 
And  best  of  all,  along  the   way, 

Friendship  and  mirth. 

Henry  Van  Dyke. 

HOW  does  it  happen  that  all  of  our  cities  are 
surrounded  by  a  wide  belt  of  nearly  vacant 
land,  which,  if  used  at  all,  falls  far  short  of 
its  best  possibilities?  True,  the  city  must  stop  some- 
where, but  why  should  it  stop  short  of  the  genuine 
rural  district?  Possibly  it  is  an  illustration  of  the 
law  laid  down  by  Julius  Seelye:  "In  truly  living  insti- 
tutions, the  instinct  of  development  is  wiser  than  the 
wisdom  of  the  wisest." 

These  vacant  areas  have  been  waiting  for  something 
— for  something  more  valuable  than  the  old  order  of 
rural  life ;  more  valuable,  too,  than  congested  city  life. 
They  have  been  waiting  for  the  Era  of  the  Garden 
Home.  Even  now,  those  vacant  spaces  constitute  the 
City  Invisible. 

65 


66  City  Homes  on  Coimtry  Lanes 

The  practical  explanation  is,  of  course,  that  such 
lands  have  become  too  valuable  for  farming  because 
of  their  proximity  to  large  population,  and  are  held 
out  of  use  in  anticipation  of  urban  expansion.  The 
more  their  value  diminishes  for  the  one  purpose,  the 
more  it  increases  for  the  other.  That  there  is  an  inter- 
mediate use  which  in  its  practical  outworking  restores 
their  productive  capacity,  while  still  reserving  them 
for  the  possible  future  needs  of  city  extension,  is  a 
truth  that  has  escaped  the  sharp-eyed  real-estate  fra- 
ternity in  most  localities,  though  not  in  all,  as  we 
shall  presently  see.  As  a  means  of  reducing  the  matter 
to  the  concrete,  let  us  consider  the  situation  at  the 
National  Capital,  our  beautiful  Washington. 

Within  a  ten-mile  circle  drawn  around  the  Capitol 
Dome  are  thousands  of  acres  of  good  agricultural 
land,  of  wliich  the  merest  fraction  has  been  reduced 
to  intensive  cultivation.  Much  of  it  is  wastefully  used; 
much  of  it  is  not  used  at  all.  Conditions  of  soil, 
climate  and  water-supply  are  good,  and  represent  a 
fair  average  for  the  United  States.  Suburban  trans- 
portation is  a  serious  problem  in  some  localities,  and 
less  so  in  others,  but  is  being  rapidly  simplified  by 
the  extension  of  good  roads  and  the  increasing  use 
of  motor  vehicles,  both  bus  and  truck. 

In  his  annual  report  to  the  President,  dated  No- 
vember 21,  1919,  Secretary  Lane  called  attention  to 
this  situation,  and  said: 

"Somewhere  and  sometime,  it  seems  to  me,  a  new 
system  nmst  be  devised  to  disperse  the  people  of  great 
cities  on  the  vacant  lands  surrounding  them,  to  give 
the  masses  a  real  hold  upon  the  soil,  and  to  replace 


The  Invisible  City  of  Harms  67 

the  apartment  house  with  a  home  in  a  garden.  Such 
a  system  should  enable  the  ambitious  and  thrifty  fam- 
ily not  only  to  save  the  entire  cost  of  rent,  but  possibly 
half  the  cost  of  food,  while  at  the  same  time  enhanc- 
ing its  standard  of  living  socially  and  spiritually,  as 
well  as  economically. 

"It  has  been  suggested  that  there  is  no  better  place 
to  demonstrate  a  new  form  of  suburban  life  than  here 
at  the  National  Capital,  where  we  may  freely  draw 
upon  all  the  resources  of  the  governmental  departments 
for  expert  knowledge  and  advice,  and  where  the  demon- 
stration can  readily  command  wide  publicity,  and  come 
under  the  observation  of  the  Nation's  law-makers. 
And  I  am  expecting  that  such  an  experiment  will  be 
made.  Such  a  plan  of  community  life  rather  than 
city  life  should  be  extended  to  every  other  large  city 
in  the  Nation." 

And  he  added  with  profound  conviction: 

"I  put  first  among  the  constructive  things  which 
may  be  done  by  the  exercise  of  the  Government's  power 
of  supervision  and  direction,  this  matter  of  providing 
suburban  homes  for  our  millions  of  wage-earners." 

In  later  pages  we  shall  see  precisely  what  is  meant 
by  the  term  "Garden  Home."  We  are  going  to  stand 
among  our  fruits  and  vegetables,  listening  to  the  cackle 
of  our  fowl,  and  the  hum  of  our  bees,  and  observing 
the  sleek  prosperity  of  our  rabbits  and  fine  Swiss 
goats.  We  are  going  to  enjoy  the  shade  of  our  trees 
and  inhale  the  perfume  of  our  roses.  Still  further 
along,  we  are  going  to  consider  what  constructive 
machinery,  as  revealed  by  the  inquiry  set  in  motion 
by  Secretary  Lane,  society  must  provide  in  order  to 


I 


68  Citi/  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

achieve  these  blessings  for  the  millions  of  our  common 
humanity — for  those  whose  dream  of  a  sweeter  and 
finer  way  of  Ufe  is  destined  to  come  true.  But  here 
we  are  still  dealing  with  general  principles  underlying 
it  all.     Let  us  return  to  Washington  for  this  purpose: 

Here  is  a  city  of  nearly  450,000  which  goes  on  grow- 
ing with  each  decade,  and  which  in  view  of  some  ex- 
pert minds  may  ultimately  reach  a  total  of  a  million 
or  even  two  millions.  While  it  has  few  industries,  it  is 
preeminently  a  payroll  city.  And  of  all  payrolls  in 
the  world,  Uncle  Sam's  ranks  first  in  point  of  depend- 
ability. 

Here  are  tens  of  thousands  of  people  engaged  in 
a  daily  routine  which,  for  much  the  larger  part  of 
them,  offers  little  variety,  and  not  the  slightest  opportu- 
nity to  exercise  their  initiative  faculties.  As  a  class, 
their  positions  arc  secure,  and  their  income  certain 
beyond  anything  that  is  known  in  ordinary  industrial 
walks.  They  can  look  down  the  vista  of  the  years  and 
plan  for  their  future  with  better  assurance  of  con- 
summation than  almost  any  other  class  of  salaried 
workers.    And  yet,  there  is  an  end  to  the  road — old  age. 

This  is  not  now  the  sheer  drop  it  once  was  and  is 
j'et  for  nearly  all  salaried  workers  except  those  em- 
ployed by  the  United  States.  There  is  now  an  old- 
age  pension  for  Government  people.  But,  while  it 
represents  a  progressive  step  in  humanitarian  legisla- 
tion, and  is  particularly  valuable  because  of  the  prin- 
ciple established,  it  is  almost  entirely  inadequate  to 
the  needs  of  those  living  in  the  crowded  city  and  hav- 
ing no  retreat  in  view.  It  breaks  the  fall,  but  provides 
no  comfortable  resting  place. 


The  Inmsible  City  of  Homes  69 

With  the  exception  of  mechanics,  letter-carriers,  and 
postal  clerks,  the  old-age  pension  applies  only  to  those 
who  have  been  on  the  Government  payroll  for  periods 
ranging  from  15  to  30  years  and  reached  70  years 
of  age.  It  is  divided  into  six  classes,  and  the  maximum 
amount  of  the  annuity  ranges  from  $360  a  year  in  the 
lowest  to  $720  in  the  highest  class. 

Without  indulging  in  ungracious  criticism  of  an 
act  inspired  by  the  finest  spirit,  it  must  be  said  that 
even  the  maximum  annuity,  under  the  highest  class, 
spells  hardly  more  than  poverty  for  those  who  must 
continue  to  pay  city  prices  for  rent  and  food.  Prob- 
ably the  average  annuity  will  not  exceed  $500,  and 
this  is  scarcely  more  than  the  single  item  of  rent  that 
must  be  paid  by  the  average  family  in  Washington. 
It  would  mean,  perhaps,  a  sudden  shrinkage  to  half  or 
two-thirds  the  average  income  received  before  retire- 
ment. Not  a  pleasant  prospect,  surely,  for  old  age! 
We  must  do  better,  infinitely  better  than  this,  or  our 
civilization  is,  indeed,  a  sorry  failure. 

Let  us  turn  now  to  a  happier  picture,  that  of  the 
Government  clerk  in  full  tide  of  health  and  strength, 
with  his  assured  income  and  years  of  usefulness  before 
him.  To-day  he  is  paying  a  good  share  of  his  salary 
for  rent,  and  that  rent  inevitably  grows  with  the 
growth  of  the  city.  Every  dollar  so  paid  is  a  futility 
from  the  standpoint  of  investment  or  provision  for  the 
future.  Whether  he  gets  his  money's  worth  as  he 
goes  along  is  beside  the  question.  He  might  be  paying 
rent  to  himself  instead  of  the  landlord,  and  he  ought 
to  do  so.  He  might  become  a  direct  beneficiary  of 
the  growing  land  values,  instead  of  their  hopeless  vie- 


70  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

tim;  and  he  ought  to  do  that.  Savings-bank  deposits 
are  strikingly  less  in  Wasliington  than  in  many  indus- 
trial communities ;  a  fact  that  signifies  not  less  thrift, 
but  less  pay.  Nevertheless,  it  is  possible  to  devise  a 
plan  under  which  every  family  represented  on  the  Gov- 
ernment payroll  might  acquire  a  garden  home  of  its 
own  within  a  reasonable  number  of  years.  Further- 
more, if  there  is  any  prize  that  can  be  offered  that 
would  evoke  the  last  ounce  of  energy  and  ambition — 
the  utmost  measure  of  thrift  on  the  part  of  the  average 
family — it  is  the  garden  home  and  security  for  old  age. 

We  are  going  to  see,  presently,  that  $720  a  year, 
or  even  $360  a  year,  for  the  man  who  owns  his  rent- 
free  home,  produces  a  large  part  of  his  table  supphes, 
and  enjoys  his  facilities  of  amusement,  recreation  and 
intellectual  enlargement  at  the  minimum  cost,  is  a  very 
different  thing  from  the  same  amount  of  money  for  a 
family  paying  the  last  cent  of  tribute  to  landlord, 
merchant,  middleman  and  transportation  agencies. 

The  economic  gain  for  those  transplanted  from  the 
city  apartment  to  the  home  in  a  garden  is  important, 
and  naturally  the  first  thing  to  claim  our  attention. 
It  is,  however,  when  considered  from  the  standpoint 
of  the  character  of  our  people  and  their  institutions, 
of  less  importance  than  the  spiritual  and  social  gains 
to  be  scored  to  the  credit  of  the  process.  If  a  man 
goes  up  in  his  own  estimation  when  he  puts  on  a  new 
suit  of  clothes,  as  is  generally  conceded,  how  much 
higher  will  he  rise  when  he  steps  from  rented  quarters 
into  a  home  of  his  own?  His  own  ground,  his  own 
roof,  his  own  fireside!  It  will  not  be  (juite  so  easy 
to  tell  him  how   to  vote  on  election  day — not   quite! 


The  Invisible  City  of  Homes  71 

His  sovereignty  is  enhanced,  liis  citizenship  ennobled. 
He  may  still  work  for  wages,  but  he  has  won  a  stake 
in  the  proprietorship  of  his  country.  He  sings  "My 
Country  'Tis  of  Thee"  with  a  new  emphasis.  The  old 
flag,  always  beautiful  to  his  eyes,  is  eloquent  now. 

So  with  his  food:  It  is  not  merely  that  he  has  some- 
thing to  eat — he  has  always  had  that  and  always  ex- 
pected to — but  it  is  the  fact  that  it  is  the  food  of  his 
planting,  nursing,  raising,  reaping.  Never  were  there 
such  strawberries  as  he  picks,  warm  with  the  sunshine 
of  his  garden.  Never  were  there  peppers  with  such 
a  "kick"  as  those  coming  fresh  from  his  vines.  We 
need  not  go  through  the  list,  we  are  going  to  fondle  all 
these  precious  things  later;  but  at  this  point  it  is 
essential  that  we  should  feel  the  thrill  of  the  new  ad- 
venture, and  understand  that  we  are  unlocking  a  spirit 
that  has  almost  perished  between  the  drudgery  and 
loneliness  of  the  old  forms  of  rural  life  and  the  pressure 
of  urban  congestion.  It  is  a  very  precious  spirit — one 
that  draws  man  close  to  God  in  the  joy  of  co-creation. 

The  social  metamorphosis  to  be  wrought  will  bring 
an  immense  accession  of  health  and  vigor  into  the  lives 
of  families  and  communities.  We  have  learned  that 
in  the  matter  of  social  organization,  as,  perhaps,  in 
the  matter  of  industrial  organization,  there  is  a  unit 
that  is  too  large  for  efficicnc}',  just  as  there  is  a  unit 
that  is  too  small  for  efficiency.  A  recent  instance  has 
come  under  my  observation- — the  experience  of  a  Cali- 
fornia boy  attending  the  largest  high  school  in  the 
United  States.  The  school  is  nobly  housed;  equipped 
with  every  facility,  even  to  its  printing  office,  bank  and 
restaurants,  and  second  to  none  in  the  ability  and  de- 


72  City  Homes  on  Coivntry  Lanes 

votion  of  its  faculty.  And  yet  with  all  these  advan- 
tages and  its  3,000  pupils,  it  offers  less  in  a  spiritual 
sense  than  the  school  from  which  he  came  in  California, 
where  there  were  only  150  pupils.  It  is  assumed  that 
the  reader  knows  that  California  schools  are  by  no 
means  to  be  compared  with  average  rural  schools  men- 
tioned in  an  earlier  chapter.  California  is  in  a  class 
by  itself — not  only  with  respect  to  climate  and  scenery, 
but  in  the  magnificence  of  its  school  fund,  and  the 
progressive  spirit  of  its  people. 

The  point  is  that  the  Washington  school  suffers  from 
its  bigness,  while  the  California  school  gains  by  its 
smallness.  The  loss  and  gain  are  wholly  in  the  matter 
of  the  spirit,  not  in  physical  or  technical  conditions. 
It  is  really  true  that  work  outside  of  the  prescribed 
programme,  and  dependent  upon  tlie  voluntary  interest 
of  the  students,  as,  for  example,  the  debating  society, 
draws  the  larger  attendance  in  the  small  school,  the 
lesser  in  the  big  one. 

The  principle  applies  to  all  departments  of  social 
and  intellectual  life.  While  a  community  may  be  too 
small  for  the  successful  cultivation  of  such  interests, 
it  may  also  be  so  large  as  almost  entirely  to  efface 
them.  The  garden  city  offers  ideal  soil  for  the  culti- 
vation of  the  social  plant.  Not  only  is  it  right  as  to 
the  quantity,  but  also  as  to  the  quality,  of  its  citizen- 
ship. It  is  not  so  large  as  to  suffocate  the  neighborly 
instinct,  nor  is  it  likely  to  foster  class  distinctions 
arising  from  differences  of  wealth  and  })osition.  These 
considerations  have  a  deep  significance  with  respect  to 
our  national  character. 


The  Invisible  City  of  Homes  73 

In  considering  tliis  .'ispcct  of  the  subject  the  fact 
should  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  people  of  the  garden 
homes  share  all  of  the  advantages  of  the  metropolis. 
They  are  by  no  means  detaclied  from  its  life.  As  in  the 
case  of  the  extremely  well-to-do  referred  to  in  earlier 
pages,  they  are  of  the  city,  though  not  in  the  city. 
To  a  very  large  extent  they  enjoy  the  benefits  and 
avoid  the  drawbacks  of  botli  city  and  country.  Tlie- 
aters,  libraries,  art  galleries,  pageants,  and  spectacles 
of  every  sort;  big  department  stores;  opportunities  to 
see  and  hear  the  great  of  every  land  as  they  go  on 
their  rounds ;  newspapers  at  morning  and  evening, 
even  the  midnight  extra — all  these,  and  much  more, 
are  for  the  denizens  of  tlie  garden  homes,  as  much  as 
for  the  residents  of  the  crowded  towns. 

Why  has  tliis  new  and  better  fonn  of  life  lingered 
so  long  in  the  coming?  Awaiting  its  logical  hour  in 
the  process  of  social  evolution,  perhaps ;  yet  that  is 
not  all,  for  many  have  seen  the  light  and  wished  to 
follow  it.  This  could  not  usually  be  done,  at  least 
in  the  best  way,  by  an  individual  family  acting  alone. 
It  calls  for  planned  development ;  for  the  purchase 
and  subdivision  of  land  upon  a  large  scale ;  for  scientific 
preparation  of  the  soil ;  for  the  installation  of  com- 
munity facilities  and  utilities,  such  as  water-supply, 
sewerage,  parks  and  public  buildings.  In  a  word,  for 
the  genius  of  social  engineering,  supplemented  by  an 
amount  of  capital  and  executive  capacity  that  shall 
be  equal  to  a  large  constructive  task.  All  this  belongs 
rather  more  to  the  progranmie  than  to  the  philosophy 
of  the   subject,   and  will  be  considered   in   its   proper 


74  C^iy  Homes  on  Covmtry  Lanes 

place.  First,  let  us  make  sure  that  the  thing  is  worth 
doing;  then  it  will  be  proper  to  consider  how  it  may 
be  done. 

The  opportunity  lies  there,  out  in  the  sunshine,  in 
the  surroundings  of  every  city  in  the  land.  And  the 
Invisible  shall  become  the  Visible,  even  to  the  material 
sight,  as  noAv  to  the  eyes  of  the  Spirit. 


CHAPTER  VI 

GARDEN   INSTINCT   REVEALED    BY    WAR 

"The  kiss  of  the  sun   for  pardon; 
The  song  of  the  birds  for  mirth; 
One  is  nearer  God's  heart  in  a  garden 
Than  anywhere  else  on  earth." 

THERE  arc  tliose  who  deny  that  there  is  any 
such  thing  as  a  latent  love  for  the  soil  in  the 
hearts  of  our  urban  masses.  They  assert  that 
the  last  thing  that  would  appeal  to  these  people  is  a 
patch  of  ground  and  a  hoe;  that  they  have  turned 
their  back  on  the  country  with  a  sigh  of  relief  and  a 
grim  determination  to  have  no  more  of  it ;  that  their 
whole  interest  in  life  is  bounded  by  the  metropolitan 
horizon;  that  within  those  limits  are  their  livelihood, 
their  social,  intellectual  and  religious  interests ;  and, 
beyond  an  occasional  picnic  in  the  woods,  they  care  for 
naught  else. 

Such  criticism,  of  course,  loses  most  of  its  force 
when  applied  to  the  garden  home,  which  simply  en- 
larges the  city  boundaries  and  sacrifices  little  or 
nothing  in  the  way  of  urban  advantages.  Apart  from 
that,  however,  the  criticism  rests  on  mistaken  grounds. 
Love  for  the  soil  has  not  gone  out  of  men's  hearts. 
It  is  a  primal  instinct  which  may  have  been  repressed, 
or  even  paralyzed  for  the  time,  but  can  no  more  be 
destroyed  than  love  of  family  or  love  of  country. 
It  is  of  divine  substance — hence,  indestructible. 

75 


76  City  Homes  on  Comntry  Lanes 

The  world  war,  which  illuminated  many  dark  cor- 
ners, revealed  the  gardening  instinct  in  all  its  original 
vigor,  and  mobilized  it  for  the  service  of  the  country 
without  the  formality  of  the  selective  draft.  We  raised 
4,800,000  soldiers  and  trained  them  for  battle  with 
marvelous  celerity;  but,  at  the  same  time,  an  army 
of  5,250,000  war  gardeners  grasped  rake  and  hoe  and 
proceeded  to  do  their  part  without  the  inspiration  of 
martial  music,  without  hope  of  glory  or  material  re- 
ward. It  was  a  remarkable  demonstration,  showing 
that  our  people  have  not  only  the  instinct  but  the 
aptitude  for  this  adventure.  It  was  a  great  light 
thrown  upon  the  character,  the  capacity,  the  aspira- 
tions of  the  American  people.  It  is  one  of  the  war 
lessons  which  has  not  been  appreciated  at  anything 
like  its  true  value. 

The  National  War  Garden  Commission  was  not,  as 
most  people  suppose,  a  Government  activity,  though  it 
had  its  headquarters  in  Washington,  and  enjoyed  the 
moral  support  of  Federal  authority.  It  was  the  volun- 
tary undertaking  of  a  number  of  patriotic  citizens, 
headed  by  Charles  Lathrop  Pack,  of  Lakewood,  N.  J., 
President  of  the  American  Forestry  Association.  For 
more  tlian  two  years  he  turned  over  bodily  the  activities 
of  that  organization  to  the  war-garden  work,  at  a 
cost  of  about  $1,000,000  a  year,  raised  by  himself 
and  associates,  and  consecrated  to  the  work  of  popular 
education.  The  task  undertaken  was  so  extraordinary 
tiiat  most  men  would  have  regarded  it  as  impossible 
of  accomplishment. 

The  ])rol)k'm  was  to  bring  about  a  vast  increase  in 
the  country's  food  supply:  to  do  it  very  quickly,  and 


Garden  Instinct  Revealed  hij  War  77 

to  do  it  witliout  taking  from  existing  farming  opera- 
tions either  an  acre  of  ground  or  the  labor  of  a  single 
man,  since  both  land  and  labor  were  already  under 
the  fullest  pressure.  Not  only  so,  but  the  railroads 
were  groaning  under  tiie  heaviest  demands  and  it  was 
essential  that  the  vast  increase  of  food  supply  should 
be  obtained  without  adding  materially  to  the  burden 
of  the  railroads.  How  could  the  thing  be  done.''  Only 
by  inducing  the  people  to  utilize  every  piece  of  ground, 
without  remitting  any  of  their  regular  work,  which 
was  also  in  unusual  demand. 

The  scheme  was  chimerical,  of  course.  Any  sensible 
person  would  have  known  it !  But  Mr.  Pack  and  his 
friends  did  not  know  it.  They  believed  that  the  great 
spirit  evoked  by  the  war  could  do  impossible  things. 
The  event  proved  that  they  were  right. 

Millions  of  gardens — more  than  five  millions — 
sprung  into  almost  immediate  existence.  These  gardens 
blossomed  not  only  in  the  workingman's  back  yard, 
but  on  the  millionaire's  front  lawn.  Italian  gardens, 
which  had  been  the  pride  of  their  owners,  were  beauti- 
fied by  straight  rows  of  common  vegetables  and  min- 
istered yet  more  to  pride.  Public  parks,  which  had 
been  mere  fields  for  popular  recreation,  were  dedicated 
to  a  more  sacred  public  purpose — that  of  feeding  the 
people  and  winning  the  war.  The  total  product  of  this 
war-gardening  scheme  between  May,  1917,  and  June, 
1919,  reached  the  impressive  figure  of  $1,250,000,000. 
The  plan  served  its  immediate  purpose ;  but  its  deeper 
significance  has  yet  to  enter  the  consciousness  of  our 
people. 

First,  it  revealed  the  affinity  of  our  people  for  the 


78  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

soil.  Men  rushed  for  the  shipyards  to  work  for  $10 
a  day.  While  they  were  inspired  by  the  depredations 
of  the  German  submarines,  they  also  obtained  substan- 
tial material  reward  for  their  own  pockets.  When 
these  same  men  got  up  an  hour  earlier  to  cultivate  their 
gardens,  and  came  home  from  the  shipyard  to  labor 
with  the  hoe  until  dark,  they  were  working  for  some- 
thing higher  than  dollars,  in  response  to  a  finer  im- 
pulse than  the  desire  for  gain. 

They  were  preserving  their  families  and  their  coun- 
try against  the  peril  of  possible  famine.  They  were 
exerting  their  initiative  and  creative  faculties,  and  they 
found  that  the  process  yielded  a  great  sense  of  satis- 
faction. They  were  adventuring  upon  the  lost  field 
of  individual  independence,  and  wliile  they  did  not 
go  far  in  that  direction,  they  yet  went  far  enough  to 
catch  a  fleeting  glimpse  of  the  promised  land.  They 
demonstrated  their  aptitude  for  the  thing.  And  that 
was  a  comfort.  If  they  had  once  known  how,  they 
discovered  that  they  had  not  forgotten.  If  they  had 
never  known  how,  they  discovered  that  they  could 
learn.     And  that  was  a  joy. 

This  brings  us  to  another  hopeful  aspect  of  the 
matter:  Of  the  5,250,000  families  who  enlisted  as  war 
gardeners,  something  like  3,000,000  really  did  not 
know  how  to  do  it,  or  at  least  how  to  do  it  the  best  way. 
To  my  mind,  this  is  one  of  the  most  valuable  lessons 
of  the  experience — the  teachability  of  our  people;  the 
willingness  to  learn;  their  eagerness  to  respond  to  dis- 
interested leadership.  For,  be  it  known,  not  less  than 
:{,()()0,0()0  of  these  families  entered  into  direct  com- 
munication with  the  National  War  Garden  Commission 


fiimrmmf-m^:^^^aimKs^f^^> 


CHARLES    L.VTHIl()P    PACK 

I'rosideiit  of  AiULTioaii  Forestry  Association,  whose  rcmarlcable  success  as  ("liairinaii  of  the 

National  War  Gariieii  Commission  (1918-19)  revealed  the  latent  love  of  the  American 

masses  for  the  soil 


Garden  Instinct  Revealed  hy  War  79 

at  Washington,  taking  correspondence  lessons  at  the 
hands  of  the  best  experts  money  could  employ,  or 
patriotic  fervor  command.  These  lessons  included  the 
art  of  preserving  vegetables  for  winter  use. 

The  result  was  an  extraordinary  and  almost  imme- 
diate stiifening  of  the  battle-front.  There  was  an 
enormous  gain  in  efficiency.  War  gardening  became 
a  science  in  many  instances.  If  the  war  had  lasted 
ten  years  longer,  the  nation  would  have  learned  the 
greatest  single  fact  in  the  world — that  a  man  can 
make  a  living  from  a  very  little  land.  And,  when  that 
fact  is  finally  learned,  in  the  length  and  breadth  of 
America  there  will  be  neither  a  homeless  man  nor  a 
hungry  child. 

Was  it  Woodrow  Wilson  who  intimated  that  if  we 
could  have  the  same  spirit  in  peace  that  we  have  in 
war  the  world  would  speedily  become  a  paradise.'' 

The  war-garden  episode,  great  as  it  was  in  its  im- 
mediate results,  was  only  an  example  of  crude  emer- 
gency work.  Its  value  for  the  present  purpose  is  to 
show  that  the  country-minded  millions  in  big  cities  can 
garden,  and  will  garden,  if  they  have  a  chance;  and 
that  these  facts  have  a  very  intimate  relation  to  cost 
of  living.  To  accomplish  the  best  results,  however, 
they  must  have  a  better  chance  than  they  found  in 
vacant  city  plots.  The  city  of  the  future  should  be 
so  organized  that  the  work  may  be  conducted  on  a 
permanent  basis  and  under  the  best  conditions.  Further- 
more, it  must  be  founded  on  the  principle  of  home- 
ownership,  of  landed  proprietorship.  While  a  man 
will  work  with  fierce  energy  on  anybody's  ground  to  help 
his   country   under  the   stress   of  war,  it   is   his   own 


80  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

ground  that  evokes  his  abiding  love,  and  with  it  all 
of  his  resources  of  energy  and  skill  in  times  of  peace. 

Neither  is  gardening,  and  especially  the  culture  of 
vegetables  which  come  to  maturity  in  a  few  weeks  or 
months,  more  than  the  beginning  of  industry  in  the 
true  garden  home.  The  fruits  of  tree  and  vine  lie 
beyond  the  scope  of  the  emergency  garden  or  city 
plots,  requiring  years  for  profitable  production. 
Then  there  is  the  matter  of  small  livestock,  with  its 
assurance  of  milk  and  meat,  as  well  as  fresh  eggs  for 
breakfast.  If  to  these  considerations  we  add  the  need 
of  permanent  demonstration  plants  and  other  forms 
of  popular  instruction,  together  with  the  institutions 
of  social  and  intellectual  life,  we  readily  see  how  far 
short  the  war  garden  necessarily  falls  of  meeting  the 
need. 

There  are  a  number  of  American  cities  where  the 
war-garden  idea  has  taken  root  and  become  a  per- 
manent institution,  and  where  new  subdivisions  have 
been  laid  out  with  this  idea  in  view.  In  such  cases 
the  lots  are  made  unusually  large,  ranging  from  one- 
fourth  of  an  acre  to  an  acre,  and  planned  with  special 
reference  to  the  accommodation  of  poultry-yards,  rab- 
bitries,  and  similar  small  livestock.  The  movement  is 
particularly  advanced  in  California,  especially  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Los  Angeles,  where  it  has  become  a 
genuine  gospel.  For  example,  how  different  from  the 
ordinary  announcement  of  the  new  subdivision  is  the 
following: 

"The  shadow  of  the  coming  economic  reaction  lies 
across  the  j)ath  of  every  wage-earner. 


Garden  Instinct  Hercalcd  bt/    War  81 

"It  clouds  the  future  of  every  salary-earner. 

"Why  not  lift  that  shadow 

"And  get  out  into  the  sunshine? 

"Why  not  turn  the  tide  so  that 

"You  may  float  upstream  instead  of  down? 

"The  Homecroft  garden  is  the  anchor  within 

"And  it  is  within  every  man's  reach. 

"Every  family  seeking  health  and  happiness  should 
think  for  itself  and  realize  that  it  must  solve  its  own 
problem,  instead  of  thoughtlessly  marching  in  lock- 
step  with  a  nmltitude  who  do  no  tliinking,  and  are 
merely  drifting  toward  the  point  of  least  resistance. 
Tlie  only  safe  course  for  any  family  is  to  break  away 
from  the  unthinking  mass ;  and,  as  a  family  anchorage, 
secure  the  ownership  of  a  piece  of  land  from  which 
their  own  efforts  will  produce  the  food  for  the  family, 
at  a  point  nearby  the  commerce  of  the  city." 

These  are  the  words  of  George  H.  Maxwell,  one  of 
the  strongest  advocates  of  the  garden  home,  and  a  man 
of  standing  in  American  public  life,  who  discovered 
the  truth  many  years  ago.  The  fact  that  it  has  be- 
come popular  to  depend  on  his  philosophy  instead  of 
the  old-fashioned  real  estate  arguments  as  a  means  of 
winning  favor  for  a  new  subdivision  is  a  most  hopeful 
sign. 

In  England  the  garden-city  idea  has  taken  firm  root, 
and  there  have  been  several  successful  examples,  notably 
that  of  Letchworth.  In  the  United  States  nothing 
really  adequate  and  worthy  of  the  nation  has  3'et 
found  expression  on  the  soil;  tliough  there  has  been 
much    discussion,    and    the    idea    has    many    advocates. 


82  C^^y  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

There  can  be  no  doubt  whatever  that  the  people  are 
ready  for  it — milHons  of  people — and  that  the  garden 
city  should  be  as  much  a  part  of  every  municipal 
equipment  as  the  water-supply,  schools,  public  libraries, 
or  street-railway  systems. 


CHAPTER  VII 

"the  most  valuable  of  all  arts" 

I  believe  in  a  spade  and  an  acre  of  ground.  Whoso  cuts  a 
straight  path  to  his  own  living  by  the  help  of  God,  in  the  sun 
and  rain  and  sprouting  grain,  seems  to  be  a  universal  working 
man.     He  solves  the  problem  of  life. 

Emerson. 

ELSEWHERE  I  have  ventured  the  prediction 
tliat  tlie  next  great  passion  of  mankind  will 
be  for  the  soil.  Now  let  me  add  that  the  next 
great  popular  science,  the  next  great  popular  art,  will 
be  the  science  and  the  art  employed  by  millions  of 
ambitious,  energetic  folk  in  building  the  peace  garden 
on  the  foundation  of  the  war-garden  experience,  thus 
raising  the  American  standard  of  living  higher  than 
ever  before,  and  establishing  the  institutions  of  our 
common  life  upon  the  enduring  basis  of  landed  pro- 
prietorship and  individual  independence. 

Sixty-two  years  ago  Abraham  Lincoln,  in  a  casual 
speech,  scarcely  reported  at  the  time,  and  the  tre- 
mendous import  of  which  has  not  been  sensed  by  the 
people  even  now,  used  these  prophetic  words : 

''The  most  valuable  of  all  arts  will  be  the  art  of 
deriving  a  comfortable  subsistence  from  the  smallest 
area  of  soil." 

It  is  a  good  speaker  who  can  put  one  big  thought 
into  a  single  sentence  of  twenty-two  words,  but  Lincoln 
put  three  separate  and  distinct  big  thoughts  into  the 

83 


84  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

sentence  I  have  quoted.  And  in  each  of  these  there  is 
the  germ  of  a  great  philosophy  of  every-day  life.  One 
wonders  if  the  orator  himself  realized  all  that  he  was 
saying;  or  whether  he  simply  followed  Emerson's 
counsel :  "A  man  should  learn  to  detect  and  watch  that 
gleam  of  light  which  flashes  across  his  mind  from 
within,  more  than  the  luster  of  the  firmament  of  bards 
and  sages."  Consciously  or  unconsciously,  he  reflected 
the  Infinite  Intelligence  as  surely  in  this  as  in  the 
famous  speech  at  Gettysburg  and  the  Second  Inaug- 
ural. 

Consider  the  significance  of  the  expression,  "the  most 
valuable  of  all  arts"  as  applied  to  the  cultivation  of 
the  soil.  Who  had  thought  of  it  as  in  any  sense  an 
art — this  matter  of  planting  and  digging  potatoes.? 
An  occasional  poet  or  philosopher,  perhaps;  but  cer- 
tainly this  was  not  the  idea  entertained  by  the  common 
intelligence.  Art,  according  to  Noah  Webster,  is  "the 
skillful  and  systematic  adaptability  of  means  for  the 
attainment  of  some  desired  end;  skill  in  accomplishing 
a  purpose."  Science,  according  to  the  same  authority, 
is  "knowledge  gained  and  verified  by  exact  observation, 
and  correct  thinking  especially  as  methodically  formu- 
lated and  arranged  in  a  rational  system." 

During  the  past  half  century,  and  especially  the 
pust  two  or  three  decades,  thanks  to  Government  and 
university  activities,  American  agriculture  has  ad- 
vanced far  along  these  lines.  But  Lincoln  was  speak- 
ing to  the  ])ioiieer  settlers  in  a  new  State  barely  emerg- 
ing from  the  wilderness — Wisconsin  in  1859.  There 
was  very  little  science  or  system  in  the  farming  method 
then  and  there  in  vogue.     And  in  coupling  "art"  with 


''The  Most  Valuable  of  All  Arts''  85 

the  prosaic  work  of  planting  the  new  clearing,  the 
orator  must  have  spoken  over  the  heads  of  most  of 
his  audience.  But  Lincoln  was  right.  We  shall  never 
make  the  most  of  our  resources — the  most  of  man's 
innate  love  for  the  soil— until  the  farmer  and  gardener 
imbibe  the  spirit  of  the  artist. 

Lincoln  spoke  of  deriving  "a  comfortable  subsist- 
ence from  the  land."  And  this  was  his  second  big 
thought.  He  was  speaking,  doubtless,  to  men  who  had 
gone  into  the  wilderness  thinking  more  of  getting  rich 
than  of  getting  a  living.  They  had  taken  up  free 
land — all  they  could  possibly  obtain  under  the  law — 
with  the  expectation  that  it  would  become  of  high  value 
with  the  passing  of  the  years  and  the  growth  of  popu- 
lation— an  expectation  that  was  by  no  means  disap- 
pointed. But  Lincoln  did  not  laud  this  purpose.  He 
was  blind  to  the  possibilities  of  speculation;  deaf  to 
the  call  of  sudden  riches.  Himself  the  child  of  poverty, 
hardship  and  struggle,  his  prayer  for  his  countrymen 
was  that  they  might  achieve  "a  comfortable  subsist- 
ence," which  to  his  mind  meant  security  of  life,  even 
unto  old  age. 

Greatest  of  all  was  his  final  thought:  "The  smallest 
area  of  soil."  The  very  crux  of  our  rural  civilization, 
the  very  hope  of  our  rural  democracy,  lies  in  that 
phrase.  It  represents  the  antithesis  of  land  monopoly 
and  exalts  the  hope  of  a  well-provided  life  as  the 
dearest  goal  of  our  citizenship.  When  men  shall  come 
to  regard  the  use  of  the  soil  as  an  art,  based  on  scientific 
knowledge  and  pursued  by  scientific  methods ;  when 
they  accept  the  thought  of  a  "comfortable  subsist- 
ence" rather  than  unearned  speculative  profits  us  the 


86  City  Homes  on   Country  Lanes 

object  of  their  eiforts ;  and  when  they  learn  to  satisfy 
these  needs  from  "the  smallest  area  of  soil,"  then  we 
shall  solve  our  rural  problem  in  a  way  that  will  bring 
real  satisfaction  to  the  soul  of  America. 

The  smaller  the  holding,  the  more  intensive — hence 
the  more  artistic  and  scientific — its  cultivation  must 
necessarily  be.  The  smaller  the  holding,  the  nearer 
and  more  numerous  the  neighbors — hence  the  finer  the 
institutions  of  civic  and  social  and  intellectual  and 
spiritual  life  will  inevitably  become. 

Lincoln  said  it  all ! 

The  time  has  come  to  apply  this  wisdom  in  the  prac- 
tical life  of  our  people.  It  points  directly  to  the  home 
in  a  garden  for  millions  of  our  country-minded  city  peo- 
ple. It  extends,  however,  beyond  them  and  reaches  out 
into  the  true  rural  life  of  the  nation,  now  awaiting  some 
new  and  miglity  impulse  that  sliall  effect  a  basic  reor- 
ganization and  reconstruction.  Here,  as  well  as  in  the 
garden  home,  there  is  need  of  art  and  science ;  of  the 
adoption  of  a  "comfortable  subsistence"  as  an  economic 
ideal,  and  the  realization  of  all  the  social,  intellectual 
and  spiritual  possibilities  inherent  in  tlie  smallest  area 
of  soil.  Tliis  branch  of  the  subject  will  be  considered 
later.  Just  now  we  are  thinking  of  the  garden  home; 
and  the  place  to  go  for  our  inspiration  along  j)ractical 
lines  is  that  part  of  the  United  States  where  the  new 
mental  attitude  toward  the  soil  has  found  the  best  ex- 
pression.    This  leads  us  to  Southern  California. 

There  are  certain  apparent  drawbacks  in  life  that 
turn  ovit  to  be  mysterious  providences,  or  blessings  in 
disguise.  For  exanipK',  the  movement  toward  the  land 
is  always  a  part  of  the  phenomena  of  hard  times.     It 


^jjta^m^w* 


^^ 


"The  Most  Valuable  of  All  Arts''  87 

is  at  such  times  that  men  see  clearly  the  insecurity  of 
employment,  with  abject  dependence  on  some  one  else 
for  food  and  shelter.  It  is  then  they  think  of  the 
earth  as  the  real  mother  who  never  intended  her  chil- 
dren to  sufl'er  the  pangs  of  luinger. 

Sometimes  there  is  a  blessing  concealed  in  high  land 
values.  The  more  land  costs,  the  less  of  it  the  average 
man  can  afford  to  buy.  It  is  a  case  of  "the  less  the 
better,"  down  to  a  certain  necessary  minimum,  which, 
of  course,  depends  upon  personal  circumstances,  in- 
cluding the  size  of  the  family.  This  is  so  because  a 
man  makes  better  use  of  the  land  and  acquires  neigh- 
borhood advantages  that  would  otherwise  be  beyond 
his  reach. 

Another  fortunate  "drawback"  is  deficient  rainfall, 
and  consequent  need  of  irrigation.  Irrigation  is  a 
scientific  thing  in  itself,  and  the  application  of  it  in 
the  best  way  a  genuine  art.  Furthermore,  it  usually 
invokes  the  necessity  of  close  cooperation  among  many 
using  water  from  a  common  source.  And  the  irrigation 
system  in  the  West — like  the  dykes  in  Holland — has 
been  the  prolific  mother  of  cooperative  institutions  of 
various  kinds. 

Possibly  this  condition  accounts  for  the  priority  and 
preeminence  of  Southern  California  in  tiie  matter  of 
garden  homes,  though  doubtless  something  must  be 
credited  to  the  caressing  climate  and  the  irresistible 
call  of  its  mountain-guarded  valleys.  Whatever  the 
explanation,  it  is  there  that  the  lai-gcst  number  of 
people  have  seen  the  light  and  gone  farthest  along  the 
new  path. 

"Feed  yourself."    Tliis  is  the  first  maxim  of  the  new 


88  ^'^'//  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

way  of  life,  as  preached  in  the  garden  homes  of  South- 
ern California.  The  idea  is  not  only  a  sure  but  a 
luxurious  living.  Mr.  Marshall  V.  Hartranft— both 
prophet  and  practitioner  of  the  art — has  declared: 

"You  can  take  the  menu  program  for  the  past  3'ear 
from  twenty  of  the  most  affluent  homes  in  Los  Angeles, 
and  find  nothing  but  what  is  duplicated  or  served 
better  in  the  acre-garden  homes  in  Southern  Cali- 
fornia." 

This  is  a  very  strong  statement  indeed ;  but  is  it  not 
splendid  idealism — the  thought  that  the  average  family 
in  the  United  States  with  income  ranging  from  .$500 
to  $1,000  a  year  shall  be  assured  of  a  table  as  generous, 
even  as  luxurious,  as  the  table  of  a  millionaire?  The 
dreamer  can  go  no  further  in  the  matter  of  creature 
comforts ;  but  is  the  thing  within  the  range  of  practical 
possibility? 

Not  surely  by  methods  commonly  pursued.  The 
man  who  steps  into  the  corner  grocery  and  buys  a  few 
packjiges  of  seeds,  plants  tlicm  in  ground  not  well  pre- 
pared, has  little  or  no  comprehension  of  the  relation 
between  tlic  amount  of  his  planting  and  the  amount 
of  his  family  needs,  takes  no  thought  of  what  he  is 
going  to  have  for  dinner  a  few  weeks  or  months  hence, 
but  knows  only  in  a  general  way  that  he  is  fond  of 
this,  that,  or  the  other — this  man  will  not  dine  like  the 
millionaire.  Science  must  be  enlisted,  art  employed, 
forethought  used,  if  any  such  result  is  to  be  obtained. 
That  is  what  Mr.  Hartranft  meant  when  he  said  "Pro- 
gramme, Method  and  SchcduK'  an-  thi-  waU'hwords  of 
acre  {fficicncv." 

Tlic  first   thing  on    the  progrannne   is  a   bill  of   fare 


''The  Most  Valuable  of  All  Arts''  89 

mapped  out  long  in  advance.  In  fact,  they  call  it 
"Houst'kccping  by  tlie  Year." 

It  is  obvious  tliat  if  one  is  to  have  certain  vegetables 
for  dinner — on  June  22,  for  example — the  planting 
must  be  done  some  time  in  advance,  or  it  will  be  neces- 
sary to  run  to  the  corner  grocery  and  buy  the  vege- 
tables. That  will  do  for  the  millionaire,  but  not  for 
the  home  gardener.  And,  by  the  way,  this  is  a  good 
place  to  remark  that  tlie  home  gardener  has  tlie  ad- 
vantage of  the  millionaire  in  this  respect,  since  his 
vegetai)]cs  will  be  fresh  from  the  garden,  and  stamped 
with  that  inefTable  sometliing  tiiat  attaches  to  his 
own  creation.  There  is  an  element  of  love  in  it  thai- 
ones  does  not  get  in  the  more  or  less  wilted  vegetables 
bought  at  the  store  after  passing  through  many  alien 
hands  ;  nor  even  in  vegetables  raised  in  one's  own  garden 
by  hired  men. 

The  menu  goes  up  on  tlie  kitchen  wall,  accompanied 
by  tables  of  maturity,  so  that  the  housekeeper  can 
look  ahead  and  see  just  what  material  she  will  have 
at  her  dis])osal  on  a  certain  date.  The  planting  is 
done,  of  course,  in  accordance  with  the  bill-of-fare. 
This  brings  us  to  another  step  in  the  new  and  valuable 
art.  This  step  is  successional  planting — planting  a 
little  of  everything  in  the  way  of  perishable  vegetables 
one  day  in  each  week.  In  the  case  I  have  in  mind, 
Tuesday  is  planting  day,  and  the  rest  of  the  week  is 
given  to  cultural  days.  I^sually  the  work  is  done  in 
the  early  morning  hours,  "when  the  wild  life  of  the 
country  tunes  up  and  ushers  in  the  shafts  of  sunshine 
that  break  over  the  canyon  walls."  This  method  is 
guaranteed  to  produce  a  good  appetite  for  breakfast. 


90  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

One  of  the  interesting'  aims  of  the  new  science  is  to 
find  a  true  per-capita  basis  for  planting.  It  is  the 
common  experience  of  those  who  have  gardens  that 
they  pLant  far  more  of  certain  varieties  than  they  can 
consume,  sell  to  the  neighbors,  or  even  give  away. 
There  is  a  profound  economic  fallacy  in  this.  Mr. 
Hartranft  puts  it  strikingly  when  he  says : 

*'We  find  that  one  tomato  plant  will  supply  the 
needs  of  one  person.  On  that  one  plant  we  make  a 
million  per  cent  of  profit ;  but  if  we  raise  a  second 
tomato  plant  without  a  profitable  market  for  the  sur- 
plus, we  lose  a  billion  per  cent  on  that  one." 

The  bill-of-fare,  of  course,  includes  much  besides 
vegetables.  Tliere  are  the  fruits  of  the  tree  and  vine; 
milk  and  eggs ;  a  variety  of  meat.  These  are  matters 
which  will  be  discussed  in  detail  farther  on,  but  just 
here  it  is  desirable  to  concentrate  the  reader's  attention 
upon  the  importance  of  ordered  })roduction  to  a  de- 
sired end,  that  end  being  a  good  living  according  to 
a  prearranged  l)ill-of-farc.  There  is,  ])erhaps,  no  bet- 
ter way  than  to  follow  Mr.  Ilartranft's  description 
of  tlie  home  gardener,  as  lie  sees  liim  in  one  of  the 
beautiful  valleys  among  the  Sierra  Madre  Mountains, 
not  far  from  Los  Angeles.  While  details  must  be 
adjusted  to  the  retjuirements  of  the  climate  in  different 
regions,  tiie  ])rinci])les  are  similar  in  all  localities.  He 
says: 

"He  has  a  chart  of  his  ground  and  begins  the  winter 
garden.  If  rows  can  be  iiiadi-  100  feet  long  it  is  best, 
but  it  is  planted  only  j)ai-t  at  a  time.  The  manuring, 
flic   watering   and    the   plowing   of   the   ni'W   ])lot   being 


"The  Most   Valuable  of  All  Arts" 


91 


readjs  on  a  certain   Tuesday   he  starts   a   mixed   row 
of  plantings  about  like  this : 

"Kind  Amount  per  person 

Lettuce  7  plants,  6  inches  apart 

Beans  3  seeds,  4  inches  apart 

Beets  6  inches,  sown  thickly 

Carrots  4  inches,  sown  thickly 

Kale  3  inches,  sown  thickly 

Spinach  3  to  5  inches,  sown  thickly 

Turnips  6  inches 

Corn  6  grains  Bantam  variety 

Mustard  1   plant  for  whole  season 

Onion  8  sets,  two  inches  apart 

Peas  10-ft.  row,  inoculate  and  lime 

Egg-plant  1   plant  for  whole  season 

Tomato  1   plant  for  whole  season 

Cabbage  1   plant  weekly,  constant  moisture 

Radishes  Sow  thickly  between  last  four 

Celery  Plant  a  solid  row,  8  feet  per  person 

"The  following  Tuesday  he  will  use  the  same  list, 
except  egg-plant  and  tomato,  and  then  will  have  two 
of  his  thirty-foot  rows  coming  along.  These  small 
rows  he  must  ardently  care  for  every  morning  after  the 
few  chickens  and  rabbits  are  fed. 

"Acreculturc  of  this  character  nmst  be  allied  with 
two  walnut,  olive  and  ahuacate  trees,  several  raisin 
grapevines,  prunes,  figs,  peaches,  apricots,  enough  for 
drying  and  canning,  chickens,  ])igeons  and  rabbits  (in- 
stead of  a  pup)  and  a  hive  for  the  honeybee. 

"It  is  a  notable  fact,  and  lamentable,  that  the  ten- 


92  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

dency  is  to  overplant  all  the  berries.  One  loganberry 
bush,  one  mammoth  blackbez-ry  and  one  Himalaya  berry 
per  individual  are  as  much  or  more  than  can  be  used 
if  the  vines  are  carefully  attended." 

The  varieties  of  fruit  trees  would  naturally  vary 
with  the  climate.  Of  the  housekeeping  side  of  the 
matter,  he  speaks  as  follows : 

"Just  as  the  programme  of  life  is  figured  on  a  card 
system,  so  is  the  housekeeping  calculated  from  the 
maturities  column  shown  above  in  the  planting  chart 
for  each  month  of  the  year.  A  menu  made  up  from 
the  maturities  column  for  every  day  is  then  shown; 
and  then,  in  the  'advance-work'  column,  can  be  counted 
and  set  forth  exactl}^  the  number  of  glasses  of  jelly 
and  preserved  fruits  and  vegetables  contained  in  the 
whole  year's  menu.  These  itemized  figures  are  carried 
to  the  proper  month  when  they  should  be  prepared,  and 
the  whole  month's  work  is  on  the  kitchen  wall,  right 
at  the  time  the  crops  are  available  for  using.  These 
also  demonstrate  how  much  less  is  required  of  each 
variety  than  is  usually  attempted.  Only  those  who 
have  lived  from  an  orchard  and  garden  can  appreciate 
the  true  luxury  of  the  annual  menu.  Taking  November 
1,  as  a  specimen,  it  reads  this  way: 

"Breakfast:  Sliced  salway  peaches,  corn  fritters, 
comb  lioney,  toast,  coffee. 

"Lunch:  String-bean  salad,  fried  tomatoes,  milk 
gravy,  l)oile(I  j)otatoes,  tea. 

"Dinner:  Tomato  soup,  ripe  olives,  lettuce,  boiled 
squal),  baked  sweet  potatoes,  lemon  pie,  coffee." 

In  many  j)laces  some  other  kind  of  pickles  would 
be  substituted  for  olives,  and  some  other  kind  of  fruit 


''The  Most  Valuable  of  All  Arts''  93 

pie  for  Icinon,  so  that  nothing  except  a  little  flour, 
coffee  and  spices  would  represent  cash  expenditure  in 
the  preparation  of  these  three  meals.  Of  course  they 
are  capable  of  almost  infinite  variation. 

I  can  not  refrain  from  giving  a  glim])se  of  the  goats 
and  the  bees,  since  milk  and  honey  are  important  fea- 
tures of  the  menu,  as  they  figure  in  Mr.  Hartranft's 
philosophy. 

"Back  East,  in  the  village  where  I  grew  up,  we  had 
the  herd  boy,  who  came  in  sunnner  and  took  our  cow 
to  the  pasture.  It  will  be  so  with  our  Swiss  Toggen- 
burg  goats  in  the  foothills.  In  our  town  we  have  not 
enough  of  the  higli  breeds  to  em])loy  a  herder  yet,  but 
it  will  come,  and  Nellie  will  go  to  tlie  wild  lands  with 
the  neighbors'  goats  and  come  back  at  evening  to  her 
accustomed  stall.  On  this  line  we  already  have  the 
bee  factor  who  manages  our  hives  on  shares,  keeps 
the  bees  in  good  health,  and  to-day  he  brought  over 
300  pounds  of  fine  honey.  If  you  like  honey  you  con- 
sider sugar  a  poor  substitute  in  coffee  and  in  baking 
and  cooking.  Did  the  Mission  Fathers  have  sugar.'* 
Is  not  sugar  only  a  part  of  the  careless  habit  of  run- 
ning to  the  grocery  store  and  buying  dinner  from  tin 
cans  .f"' 

He  runs  joyously  on: 

"Since  getting  my  hands  into  the  honey  business  I 
feel  so  stuck  up  that  I  am  going  to  send  East  and  get 
a  couple  of  those  rustic-looking  straw  hives  that  you 
see  in  the  pictures  of  English  gardens — those  thatched- 
roof  affairs.  Any  Southern  Californian  who  does  not 
have  honey  when  all  of  these  flowers  are  abloom,  is  the 
one  who  is  stung.     He  is  living  a  counterfeit  life  in  the 


94  City  Homes  on   Country  Lanes 

midst  of  plenty.  He  is  one  of  the  great  mass  of  people 
who  are  huddled  into  apartment  flats,  innocently  as- 
suming that  S'ou  can't  eat  honey  if  j^ou  don't  have 
money !'  " 

The  art  of  living  well  from  a  little  land  that  shall 
be  worthy  of  Abraham  Lincoln's  prophecy  must  include 
not  only  the  systematic  production  of  all  the  elements 
of  the  bill-of-fare,  but  also  the  art  of  utilizing  these 
materials  by  means  of  the  best  cooking,  and  the  art 
of  serving  them  on  the  daintiest  of  tables.  The  whole 
scheme  of  luxurious  living  must  hang  together,  for  we 
are  going  to  boost  our  common  standard  of  living  to 
the  level  of  the  millionaire !  God  must  have  intended 
we  should  do  so  when  He  made  the  green  earth.  He 
provided  a  land  of  plenty.  If  we  have  lost  the  way 
perhaps  we  shall  rediscover  it  in  time  to  avert  the 
worst  consequences  of  our  folly  and  ignorance. 

I  can  not  leave  that  garden  city  among  the  hills 
without  quoting  its  most  distinguished  citizen  concern- 
ing the  new  way  of  life.  John  S.  McGroarty,  Cal- 
ifornia's poet  laureate,  and  author  of  the  classic 
"Mission  Play,"  writes  of  the  only  Millionaires'  Club 
in  the  world  that  prides  itself  on  its  broad  in- 
clusiveness. 

"The  club  holds  its  meetings  at  least  once  a  day  on 
the  steps  of  the  postoffice,"  he  tells  us.  "The  only 
qualification  for  mcmbcrshi])  is  that  you  must  be  a 
millionaire. 

"When  the  neighbors  told  us  about  it  first  we  said 
it  couldn't  be,  because  there  are  no  millionaires  in  these 
hills.  And  the  neighbors  answered  back  and  said  yes, 
there  are  lots  of  them  iiere.     They  said  they  were  mil- 


"The  Most   Valiuible  of  All  Arts''  95 

lionairos  of  hajipiness.  And  they  said  we  could  join 
if  we  were  in  that  chiss. 

"And  we  said  we  saw  tlie  point,  and  it  meant  that 
Rockefeller  and  Morgan  and  the  Jap  potato  king,  and 
those  kind  of  fehows,  were  barred  out.  But  the  neigh- 
bors said  that  this  did  not  necessarily  follow.  That 
if  a  man  had  $1  ,()()(),()00  he  could  join  just  the  same, 
provided  he  were  also  a  millionaire  of  happiness.  And, 
if  he  did  not  have  ten  cents,  but  were  a  millionaire  of 
happiness — which  he  could  well  be  if  he  wanted  to — 
why,  he  could  join,  too.  So  we  put  in  our  application 
and  we  hope  that  we  will  not  be  blackballed. 

"For,  dearly  beloved,  a  man  is  a  millionaire  if  he  be 
happy.  More  than  that,  he  is  the  heir  of  all  the  ages. 
He  is  son  of  the  morning  star  and  brother  of  the  dawn. 
To  him  has  been  handed  down  the  heart  of  the  dancers 
of  Babylon,  and  the  souls  of  them  who  laughed  in  Eden, 

"Wiien  God  made  you.  He  gave  you  the  gift  of 
happiness  at  your  birth.  If,  since  then,  you  have  lost 
it,  go  back  and  find  the  road  where  you  left  the  sun 
to  wander  in  the  shadow." 

Valuable  indeed  is  the  art,  and  precious  the  way  of 
life,  that  makes  everybody  eligible  to  membership  in 
the  kind  of  millionaire's  club  whose  entrance  fee  and 
annual  dues  are  payable  in  the  golden  coin  of  happi- 
ness! 


CHAPTER    VIII 

THE     DAWNING     OF     THE     NEW    ART 

What  these  strong  masters  wrote  at  large  in  miles 

I    followed   in   small  copy  in  my   acre; 

For  there's  no  rood  has  not   a  star   above  it; 

The    cordial    quality    of   pear   or    plum 

Ascends  as  gladly  in  a  single  tree 

As  in  broad   orchards  resonant  with  bees; 

And  every  atom  poises  for  itself, 

And  for  the  whole. 

Emerson. 

THERE  is  visible  as  3'et  only  the  gray  dawn  of 
the  new  art  sketched  in  the  previous  chapter. 
The  effulgence  of  the  fully-risen  sun  is  reserved 
for  the  future,  but  apparently  for  the  early  future. 
A  few  lonely  pioneers — thousands  in  the  aggregate, 
yet  relatively  few  out  of  our  total  population — have 
beheld  this  vision  of  a  well-provided  life  and  a  secure 
old  age  to  be  won  by  the  scientific  use  of  a  little  land. 
So  the  seeds  of  the  new  art  have  been  planted.  Tliey 
must  be  nourished  in  the  passion  of  millions  for  landed 
Independence  and  self-expression. 

Tile  work  of  the  National  War  (iarden  Conunlsslon 
extended  much  fui-ther  than  a  temporary  increase  in 
the  food  sujjply.  It  was  rajjidly  expanding  along 
scientific  lines  of  develoj)ment  when  the  War  came  to  a 
."•udden  end.  For  example,  it  put  out  many  bills-of- 
furc  to  show  the  war  gardenei-s  how  to  make  the  most 
of  their  produce  on  the  family  table.     In  the  latter  part 

96 


The  Dawning  of  the  New  Art  97 

of  its  existence,  it  gave  much  attention  to  the  matter 
of  canning  vegetables  for  winter  use.  If  it  liad  been 
conceived  and  carried  forward  as  a  permanent  institu- 
tion, it  might  have  developed  Lincoln's  thought  of  "a 
comfortable  subsistence  from  the  smallest  area  of  soil" 
to  its  full  proportions.  But  many  things  ended  with 
the  War;  and  much  that  was  readily  done  under  the 
exaltation  of  the  war  spirit  can  only  be  accomplished 
now  by  an  a])peal  to  the  deeper  instincts  of  human  na- 
ture. This  appeal  is  being  successfully  made  in  many 
localities,  especially  in  Southern  California,  as  we  have 
seen. 

One  of  the  large  contributors  to  the  new  art  is  Prof. 
C.  L.  Schufeldt  of  Los  Angeles.  First  as  the  garden 
teacher  in  the  public  schools,  and  then  as  the  garden 
editor  of  daily  and  weekly  newspapers,  he  has  probably 
inspired  and  tlircoted  more  enlightened  home  gardening 
than  any  otiier  man  in  the  United  States.  A  concrete 
illustration  of  his  teachings  is  the  accompanying  dia- 
gram of  a  home  and  grounds  occupying  a  lot  50xl4<5 
feet,  or  7,250  square  feet.  This  is  about  one-sixth  of 
an  acre — scarcely  enough  to  do  the  thing  quite  com- 
fortably, even  in  California.  Yet,  a  careful  study  of 
this  plan  will  reveal  delightful  possibilities,  both  of 
family  inde]jendence  and  social  arrangements. 

On  this  small  space  of  ground  there  is  room  for  a 
five-room  bungalow,  with  bath  and  screened  porch;  for 
a  garage,  and  acconnnodations  for  three  kinds  of  small 
livestock — chickens,  rabbits,  and  two  fine  Swiss  goats, 
since  two  are  necessary  to  keep  the  family  in  milk 
throughout  the  year.  Then  there  are  the  vegetable 
plots,  a  dozen  varieties  of  fruit  trees,  three  kinds  of 


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98 


The  Dauming  of  the  Nexe^  Art  99 

small  fruits  raised  on  bushes,  grapevines  on  the  per- 
gola, a  rose  garden  and  an  abundance  of  other  flowers. 
There  is  even  the  lath  house  for  propagating  tender 
plants.  And  witli  all  this  there  is  still  room  for  a 
front  lawn.  The  house  itself,  of  course,  is  covered  with 
flowering  vines. 

Isn't  it  a  dear, — such  a  home  within  reach  of  the 
city  payroll  and  in  the  midst  of  all  urban  advantages? 

Too  small?  Of  course  it  is.  It  was  made  to  fit  the 
standard-sized  lot  in  Los  Angeles,  which  was  not  laid 
out  with  full  comprehension  of  the  economic  plan  under- 
lying this  home.  The  lot  should  be  twice  the  size — a 
third  of  an  acre;  or,  still  better,  three  times  as  large, 
which  would  make  half  an  acre.  Yet,  Professor  Shu- 
feldt  says  "one-half  the  living  expenses  for  a  family 
of  five  persons  may  be  obtained"  even  from  so  small 
a  lot  organized  in  this  way.  It  saves,  of  course,  all 
the  rent,  and  probably  half  the  cost  of  the  food,  after 
allowing  for  purchase  of  supplies,  including  feed  for 
chickens,  rabbits  and  goats,  though  they  are  fed  in 
part  from  the  garden. 

True,  he  is  dealing  with  the  gentle  climate  of  Cali- 
fornia. It  will  be  said:  "There,  perhaps,  but  not  in 
Massachusetts  or  New  York."  The  comment  is  very 
natural,  yet  essentially  fallacious.  It  is  perfectly  true 
that  the  range  of  production  is  narrower  and  the  season 
shorter  in  most  parts  of  the  United  States.  This  is  a 
consideration  tliat  does  not  afi"ect  livestock  at  all.  It 
implies  different  varieties  of  trees,  but  not  less  fruit; 
more  canning  of  small  fruits  and  vegetables,  but  not 
less  of  these  things  to  eat.  In  fact,  so  far  as  funda- 
mentals are  concerned,  all  that  can  be  done  in  Cali- 
fornia can  be  done  elsewhere.     Intensive  cultivation  of 


100  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

garden  farms  pays  as  much,  acre  for  acre,  in  the  Cape 
Cod  District  of  Massachusetts  as  in  Southern  Cali- 
fornia. In  the  present  case,  however,  we  are  not  talk- 
ing of  raising  food  for  market,  but  only  for  the  family 
table.  And  it  can  be  done  on  a  small  holding  in  any 
part  of  the  United  States,  I  have  never  seen  more 
wonderful  vegetables   than  I  found  in  Alaska. 

There  is  a  fallacy,  too,  in  thinking  that  only  Cali- 
fornia can  supply  the  floral  setting  provided  in  the 
garden  scheme.  I  was  bom  and  raised  in  New  England 
in  a  generous  home  that,  among  plenty  of  everything 
else,  had  plenty  of  flowers,  including  the  old-fashioned 
varieties.  I  have  spent  most  of  my  life  among  the 
semi-tropical  productions  of  California.  I  trust  I  am 
loyal  to  both — the  old  home  and  the  new — when  I  say 
that  the  one  is  as  attractive  and  satisfying  as  the  other 
in  this  respect.     They  arc  different — that  is  all. 

I  dwell  upon  these  things  because  they  are  really 
quite  vital  to  the  way  of  life  we  are  considering.  If 
God  had  made  a  whole  world  and  placed  all  its  bless- 
ings in  a  single  corner,  we  should  witness  a  greater  con- 
gestion of  population  than  has  yet  occurred  to  vex 
the  sociologist. 

It  is  quite  true  tliat  a  winter  season  of  four  or  five 
months  will  have  its  effect  on  the  routine  of  the  garden 
home  and  the  social  life  of  the  garden  city.  But  the 
liiw  of  compensation  si  ill  works,  and  if  there  is  loss, 
there  is  also  gain.  The  vacation  from  garden  work 
will  not  be  wholly  unwelcome.  The  appetite  for  out- 
doors will  be  sharpened  when  spring  comes  around. 
The  social  life  of  the  conunuiiity  should  brighten  with 
the   fires    on    the   liearthstone.      The    opportunity    for 


The  Dawning  of  the  New  Art  101 

certain  cottage  industries  should  be  enhanced.  I  have 
no  hesitation  in  predicting  that,  given  the  same  spirit 
and  industry,  the  principles  of  the  garden  home  pre- 
sented in  Professor  Scliufeklt's  diagram  will  work  with 
equal  profit  and  satisfaction  in  all  parts  pf  the  coun- 
try. But  it  is,  perhaps,  not  unnatural  that  Cali- 
fornia should  take  the  lead.  Her  golden  heart  is  set 
on  homes ! 

The  new  art  has  advanced  much  in  the  past  few 
years,  by  means  of  the  planting  table,  now  quite  gen- 
erally appearing  in  newspapers  and  magazines.  The 
best  of  these  show  what  to  plant  (which  of  different 
varieties  and  different  vegetables),  how  deep,  how  often 
and  how  much;  how  to  plant,  cultivate  and  care  for, 
and  this  is  supplemented  by  notes  on  cooking.  We  shall 
see  something  of  this  in  subsequent  pages;  just  here 
the  point  is  that  very  important  steps  have  been  taken 
in  the  development  of  the  art  of  getting  much  food 
from  little  land,  and  that  thousands  have  been  assisted 
to  practical  knowledge  by  means  of  these  planting 
charts. 

In  the  equally  essential  matter  of  getting  meat,  milk 
and  eggs  from  very  small  holdings,  there  has  been  even 
more  progress  along  tiic  lines  of  scientific  and  intensive 
development,  and  nearly  as  much  has  been  accomplished 
in  popular  education.  This  is  a  fascinating  branch  of 
the  new  art,  as  we  shall  see. 

Few  people  have  as  yet  realized  anything  approach- 
ing the  true  art  of  living  well  from  a  little  land,  in  the 
sense  of  "Housekeeping  by  the  Year,"  with  programmed 
bills-of-fare,  successional  planting,  scientific  diet,  high- 
ly-skilled cookery  and  artistic  serving.     Nevertheless,  it 


102  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

is  amazing  to  observ^e  how  much  comfort  and  even 
luxury  has  been  obtained  in  thousands  of  instances, 
even  by  a  crude  approximation  to  the  ideal.  As  to  this, 
no  one  is  better  able  to  testify  than  I,  who  have  so  often 
been  the  guest  in  little  homes  where  the  thing  is  done, 
and  where  it  has  become  a  matter  of  genuine  religion. 

Dear,  dear,  such  dinners,  compounded  no  more  of  ma- 
terial products  than  of  spiritual  ingredients — the  meat, 
vegetables  and  fruit  liberally  mixed  with  love  and  pride! 
I  recall  one  memorable  Thanksgiving  when  away  from 
home,  where  all  the  elements  of  the  sumptuous  annual 
dinner  reached  me  by  express.  The  turkey  was  a  twen- 
ty-pounder; and  that  lordly  bird,  together  with  the 
vegetables,  fruits  and  preserves,  had  all  come  from 
"farms"  not  exceeding  an  acre  in  dimensions — nearly 
all  from  a  single  acre.  Better  even  than  the  food  was 
the  letter  tied  to  the  turkey's  leg — a  letter  that  tri- 
umphantly acclaimed  our  new  way  of  life. 

Is  it  not  inspiring  to  realize  that  the  very  best  things 
in  the  world,  even  on  the  material  side,  are  within  reach 
of  us  all,  when  we  shall  command  the  genius  to  make 
the  most  of  our  environment?  And  this  genius,  I  insist, 
will  prove  to  be  the  genius  of  democracy — the  expres- 
sion of  a  divine  aspiration  for  a  better,  freer  and  ampler 
life  on  the  part  of  the  masses  of  men  and  women  who 
bear  our  burdens  in  war  and  peace.  Even  so,  there 
must  be  leaders  and  prophets,  men  of  vision  who  see 
clearly  a  little  ahead  of  their  time;  tall  men  who  hear 
the  whispers  of  the  Infinite.  Of  such  men,  in  this  line 
of  work,  the  incomparal)le  leader  and  prophet  is  my 
friend  and  comrade,  Luther  Burbank. 


CHAPTER  IX 

LUTHER  BURBANK  AND  THE  NEW  EARTH 

And  he  gave  it  for  his  opinion  that  whoever  could  make  two 
ears  of  corn,  or  two  bhides  of  grass,  to  grow  upon  a  spot  of 
ground  where  only  one  grew  before  would  deserve  better  of  man- 
kind, and  do  more  «-ssential  service  to  his  country,  than  the  whole 
race  of  politicians  put  together. 

Jonathan  Swift. 

OF  all  the  persons  mentioned  in  these  pages,  Mr. 
Burbank  is  the  most  significant ;  and  this  not 
niereU'  because  of  his  worldwide  fame,  but  much 
more  because  he  is  dealing  at  first  hand  with  the  very 
elements  that  enter  into  the  daily  life  of  the  home-in-a- 
garden.  I  spent  a  never-to-be-forgotten  day  with  him 
at  Santa  Rosa,  going  over  the  theme  of  this  book  with 
considerable  care,  and  quite  needlessly  reassuring  myself 
of  his  sympathy  and  support.  He  is,  of  course,  the 
foremost  man  in  the  world  in  his  line  of  work. 
And  what  is  that  line  of  work? 

Superficially  it  is  plant-breeding,  but  fundament- 
ally, it  is  infinitely  more  than  that.  It  goes  to  the 
heart  of  the  problem  of  human  life  upon  this  planet. 
It  afif'ects  first,  and  most  palpably,  the  food  supply  of 
the  people.  Here,  alone,  its  influence  is  not  only  in 
the  highest  degree  creative,  but  revolutionary.  It  means 
not  only  more  food,  and  more  food  per  square  foot  of 
ground,  but  also  better  food.  Follow  this  a  step 
farther  and  you  see  how  the  common  standard  of  living 

103 


104  City  Homes  on   Country  Lanes 

must  rise  with  the  growing  abundance  and  quality  of 
the  products  of  the  earth.  Go  farther  still,  and  you 
will  see  how  better  living  means  better  people;  how 
larger  and  more  profitable  production  mean  that  less 
land  will  serve  the  individual  or  family — hence,  smaller 
holdings ;  how  this,  in  turn,  means  more  neighbors, 
better  housed,  fed  and  clad,  and  how  that  condition 
tends  toward  closer  and  higher  social  relationships. 

When  you  have  seen  all  this,  you  have  but  crossed  the 
doorstep  of  Luther  Burbank's  intellectual  empire.  Be- 
yond, in  the  vast  interior,  lies  the  domain  of  his  influence 
that  only  may  be  characterized  in  terms  of  spiritual 
thought  and  action.  Our  dream  of  man  as  co-creator 
with  God  comes  true.  We  stand  erect,  conscious  of 
our  Divine  partnership.  We  accept  nothing  from  Na- 
ture as  finality.  All  is  subject  to  change,  to  endless  im- 
provement. We  are  to  make  the  earth  ever  better  and 
richer,  more  productive,  and,  hence,  more  profitable. 
The  forces  of  evolution  lie  in  our  own  hands. 

I  have  searched  Mr.  Burbank's  writings  for  the  best 
word  to  express  the  reach  and  splendor  of  his  vision. 
But  there  is  no  best  word.  He  must  be  studied  as  a 
whole.  To  apprehend  him  even  measurably  one  must 
stand  in  his  presence,  as  gentle  as  that  of  the  poet 
Wliitticr  and  as  spiritual  as  Kinorson's.  lUit  perhaps 
the  following  quotations  will  help : 

"The  vast  possibilities  of  plant-breeding  can  hardly 
be  estimated.  It  would  not  be  difficult  for  one  man 
to  breed  a  new  rye,  wheat,  barley,  oats,  or  rice  which 
would  j)roducc  one  grain  more  to  each  head,  or  a  com 
wlilch  would   produce  an  extra  kernel  to  each  ear,  an- 


Luther  Burhanlc  and  the  New  Earth         105 

other  potato  to  each  plant,  or  an  apple,  plum,  orange 
or  nut  to  each  tree. 

"What  would  be  the  result?  In  five  staples  only  in 
the  United  States  alone  the  inexhaustible  forces  of 
Nature  would  produce  annually  without  effort  and  with- 
out cost,  5,200,000  extra  bushels  of  corn,  15,000,000 
extra  bushels  of  wheat,  20,000,000  extra  busliels  of 
oats,  1,500,000  extra  bushels  of  barley,  21,000,000 
extra  bushels  of  potatoes. 

"But  these  vast  possibilities  are  not  alone  for  one 
year,  or  for  our  own  time  or  race,  but  are  beneficent 
legacies  for  every  man,  woman  or  child  who  shall  ever 
inhabit  the  earth.  And  who  can  estimate  the  elevating 
and  refining  influences  and  moral  value  of  flowers  with 
all  their  graceful  forms  and  bewitching  shades  and  com- 
binations of  colors,  and  exquisitely  varied  perfumes.'' 
These  silent  influences  are  unconsciously  felt  even  by 
those  who  do  not  appreciate  tliem  conscioush',  and  thus, 
with  better  and  still  better  fruits,  nuts,  grains,  and 
flowers  will  the  earth  be  transformed,  man's  thoughts 
turned  from  the  base,  destructive  forces  into  the  nobler 
productive  ones  whicli  will  lift  him  to  higher  planes  of 
action  toward  that  happy  day  when  man  shall  offer  his 
brother  man,  not  bullets  and  bavonets  but  richer 
grains,  better  fruits,  and  fairer  flowers." 

When  I  asked  Mr.  Burbank  if  he  was  training  any 
one  to  carry  on  his  work,  he  replied :  "Thousands."  At 
the  moment,  I  did  not  understand,  but  later  came  com- 
prehension, and  with  it,  a  better  sense  of  his  greatness. 
This  wonder-worker  makes  no  concealment  of  his  meth- 


106  Ciiy  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

ods  and  no  effort  to  monopolize  the  mighty  forces  which 
he  has  learned  to  appreciate  and  direct.  The  miracle 
of  the  new  flower  or  fruit,  or  vegetable  he  would  make 
as  common  as  the  sunshine.  He  would  like  to  see  a 
Luther  Burbank  in  every  garden,  new  light  breaking  on 
every  horizon,  and  each  morning  another  morning  of 
creation.  So  would  he  pass  the  priceless  heritage  to 
the  future. 

To  study  Luther  Burbank  as  he  is  studied  by  the 
few,  one  joins  the  Burbank  Society  and  reads  the  story 
of  his  work  as  it  is  set  forth  in  his  own  twelve  volumes 
under  the  editorship  of  Dr.  Henry  Smith  Williams,  the 
noted  student,  historian  and  social  scientist  of  New 
York.  But  to  study  him  as  the  many  may  do,  one  gets 
Dr.  Williams'  own  volume,  "Luther  Burbank,  His  Life 
and  Work."  Here,  in  the  compass  of  329  pages,  with 
many  illustrations,  one  gets  a  swift  summary  of  the 
man,  his  ways  and  his  achievements.  But  in  order  that 
the  mystery  which  surrounds  his  work  in  the  minds  of 
so  many  people  may  be  modified,  if  not  dissipated,  the 
following  is  quoted  from  Dr.  Williams'  book: 

"The  fundamental  principles  of  plant  development 
througli  which  Mr.  Burbank  thought  to  develop  new 
and  improved  varieties  were  not  in  themselves  novel 
or  revolutionary.  They  consisted  essentially  in  the 
careful  selection  among  a  mass  of  plants  of  any  in- 
dividual that  showed  exceptional  qualities  of  a  desirable 
typo;  the  saving  of  seed  of  this  exceptional  individual 
and  the  carrying  out  of  tlie  same  process  of  selection 
among  the  progeny  through  successive  generations. 

"Cou})lo  tliis  mctliod  of  selection  and  so-called  line 
breeding  with  the  method  of  cross-pollcnizing  different 


HTHER    lUHnAXK 

Troplu't  and  Kx.Miipl^ir  ,if  lli,-  Nrw  an,!  H.-t(,T  Earth 


Luther  Burbank  and  the  New  Earth         107 

varieties  of  species,  to  produce  hybrid  forms  showing  a 
tendency  to  greater  variation  or  to  the  accentuation  of 
desired  characters,  and  we  have  in  outline  the  funda- 
mental princi})lcs  of  plant-breeding  as  known  to  horti- 
culturists for  generations,  and  as  applied  by  Mr.  Bur- 
bank  from  the  outset  of  his  career.  But  there  were 
sundry  highly  essential  details  of  modification  that  were 
introduced  by  the  Santa  Rosa  experimenter,  as  will  ap- 
pear presently. 

"Moreover,  even  in  the  application  of  the  old  familiar 
method,  Mr.  Burbank  was  able  from  the  outset  to  gain 
exceptional  results  because  of  certain  inherent  quali- 
ties that  peculiarly  fitted  him  for  the  work.  Among 
these  qualities  was  his  exceedingly  acute  vision,  a  re- 
markable color  sense,  and  an  almost  abnormally  de- 
veloped sense  of  smell  and  taste.  Artists  who  have 
tested  his  eyes  have  declared  that  he  can  readily  de- 
tect graduations  of  color  that  to  the  ordinary  eye  show 
no  differentiation;  and  it  is  a  matter  of  liourly  demon- 
stration that  he  can  ferret  out  an  indivichial  flower  hav- 
ing an  infinitesimally  modified  odor  in  the  midst  of  a  bed 
of  thousands  of  such  plants,  almost  as  a  hunting  dog 
detects  the  location  of  a  grouse  or  partridge  under 
cover. 

"Similarly,  his  exquisitely  refined  sense  of  taste 
guides  him  in  selecting  among  thousands  of  individual 
plums,  or  cherries  or  grapes  or  apples  or  berries  the 
one  individual  specimen  that  has  the  most  delectable 
flavor  or  that  shows  a  minute  modification  of  flavor  in 
the  direction  in  which  he  is  endeavoring  to  modify  the 
variety. 

"The    almost    preternatural    endowment    of    special 


108  City  Homes  on   Country  Lanes 

senses  is  supplemented  by  a  knowledge  of  the  coordina- 
tion of  parts — say  between  the  stem  or  leaf  and  the 
future  fruit  of  a  plant — that  is  so  penetrating  and 
mystifying  as  to  seem  intuitional,  and  to  suggest  occult 
powers  of  divination. 

"As  an  instance,  you  may  see  Mr.  Burbank  striding 
along  a  row  of,  let  us  say,  plum  seedhngs  comprising 
some  thousands  of  plants,  perhaps  a  foot  high.  He 
seems  to  inspect  the  little  trees  but  casually,  except 
that  now  and  again  he  pauses  for  a  moment  to  indicate 
with  a  motion  of  his  hand  that  this  or  that  plant  has 
particularly  attracted  his  attention.  A  helper,  or 
more  likely  two  helpers — for  one  can  scarcely  keep  up 
with  the  energetic  leader — will  be  at  hand  to  note  the 
signals ;  and  a  bit  of  white  cloth  will  be  tied  about  each 
successively  selected  seedling;  or  two  pieces  of  cloth, 
or  even  three,  in  case  an  individual  has  seemed  to  show 
quite  exceptional  promise. 

"And  with  that,  one  stage  of  the  work  of  selection 
is  finished.  Perhaps  ten  thousand  seedlings  have  been 
passed  in  review  in  a  half  hour,  and  conceivably  fifty 
or  a  hundred  have  been  selected  for  j)reservation.  These 
have  shown  to  the  keen  scrutiny  of  the  plant  experi- 
menter such  quahties  of  stem  and  bud  and  leaf  as  to 
forecast  the  type  of  fruit  sought  to  be  developed  in  this 
particular  experiment." 

The  princi{)les  of  selective  breeding  which  Mr.  Bur- 
bank  emi)h)ys  a])i)ly  to  every  department  of  production. 
He  has  used  thcin  not  only  in  the  production  of  new 
varieties,  but  cvin  new  species  of  fruits,  berries,  nuts, 
vegetabk-s  and  grains.  Of  all  his  productions  the  Bur- 
bank  potato,  which  he  produced  when  20  years  of  age, 


Luther  Burbank  and  the  Nctct  Earth         109 

is  doubtless  the  best  known.  This  h'tcrally  dominates 
its  field ;  sometliing  like  6()(),(){)0,000  bushels  have  been 
grown  to  date.  It  by  no  means  found  early  acceptance, 
however,  and  in  this  as  in  many  other  instances  he  has 
been  made  the  victim  of  substitution.  It  is  easy  to 
imagine  that  many  of  his  valuable  creations  now  re- 
garded as  matters  of  spectacular  interest  will  some  day 
be  as  generally  used  as  his  famous  potato.  How  much 
this  day  will  be  retarded  by  the  conscienceless  sale  of 
things  pretended  to  be  his  which  are  not  his  at  all,  no 
one  can  say. 

I  have  long  thought  that  I  would  rather  have  the 
opinion  of  Luther  Burbank  concerning  the  foundation 
principles  of  the  new  life  of  the  land,  than  that  of  any 
other  living  man.  His  minutes  are  like  diamonds,  yet  he 
lavished  his  precious  time  upon  me,  and  never  have  I 
talked  to  any  one  else  who  listened  with  such  perfect 
sympathy  and  complete  comprehension.  My  highest 
hope  has  been  that  he  would  feel  that  his  own  work  is 
of  peculiar  value  to  those  who  make  loving  use  of  a  little 
land,  and  that  for  them  it  would  mean  better  living 
and  higher  rewards  for  their  labor.  This  hope  is 
justified. 

I  explained  how  the  old  forms  of  country  life  have 
failed ;  how  the  life  of  the  land  must  be  renewed,  re- 
stored, made  over;  how  the  new  appeal  must  be  to  the 
deepest  instincts  of  the  human  heart,  the  new  institu- 
tions expressive  of  the  best  ideals  of  democracy.  His 
response  was  instant  and  enthusiastic.  When  I  asked 
him  how  much  land  is  really  necessary  for  the  average 
man  to  use,  he  replied: 

"A  thousand  acres  for  an  Indian,  a  hundred  acres 


110  City  Homrs  on  Country  Lanes 

for  a  farmer,  ten  acres  for  an  orchardist,  one  acre  for 
a  good  market  gardener,  half  an  acre  for  a  flower  or 
seed  man,  and  for  an  experimenter  like  myself,  a  grave- 
yard lot  will  do." 

I  told  him  we  were  talking  of  a  new  science  of  living 
from  the  land,  and  that  its  first  maxim  is,  "Feed  your- 
self." I  explained  that  the  thought  is  not  of  a  mean 
living,  not  of  a  bare  subsistence,  but  of  a  bill-of-fare 
deliberately  planned  in  advance,  with  a  programme  of 
ordered  production  to  go  with  it,  and  that  this  bill-of- 
fare  is  intended  to  be  luxurious  in  the  wholesome  sense 
of  the  term.  He  replied  that  this  is  the  only  sound 
principle,  and  that  it  is  absolutely  feasible  for  those 
who  look  to  a  little  land  for  their  living.  "Let  us 
analyze  it  a  bit,"  I  said.  "While  I  have  authentic 
records  of  those  who  have  made  an  entire  living,  and  a 
good  one,  from  much  less  than  an  acre,  I  am  neverthe- 
less told  by  well-meaning  students  of  the  land  problem, 
including  some  in  positions  of  authority,  that  an  entire 
acre  is  necessary  to  produce  vegetables  alone  for  a 
family  of  three  even  in  California." 

Mr.  Burbank  glanced  at  his  secretary  with  a  twinkle 
in  his  eye.  He  said:  "We  have  a  family  of  three  and 
produce  most  of  our  vegetables,  including  carrots,  beets, 
cabbages,  celery,  onions,  spinach,  lettuce  and  lettuce 
seed,  in  a  garden  12x20  feet,  or  240  square  feet." 

He  is  very  fond  of  asparagus  and  uses  a  variety  of 
his  own  creation  called  "Tlic  Quality."  A  bed  12x12 
feet  supplies  his  family  twice  a  day.  It  reaches  matur- 
ity some  time  earlier  tlian  the  common  variety,  to 
which  it  is  decidedly  superior  in  size,  color  and  delicacy. 
In  referring  to  the  longevity  of  asparagus,  Mr.  Bur- 


Luther  Burhank  and  the  New  Earth  111 

bank  spoke  of  one  bed  in  England  wlilcb  is  said  to  be 
100  years  old. 

He  does  not  raise  potatoes,  of  wbich  he  eats  com- 
paratively few,  but  all  the  other  vcgota])lcs  consumed 
by  his  famil}'  are  raised  in  beds  which  represent  a  total 
of  but  384  square  feet.  This  is  only  one  one-hundred- 
and-sixteenth  of  an  acre!  This  would  leave  better  than 
ninety-nine-hundredths  of  an  acre  for  a  family  to  use 
for  such  other  variety  of  vegetables  as  they  might  pre- 
fer ;  for  the  few  choice  trees,  vines  and  shrubs  necessary 
to  supply  its  fruits,  for  the  ground  on  which  the  house 
would  stand,  and  for  whatever  they  might  depend  upon 
as  the  principal  source  of  cash  income,  whether  some 
sort  of  poultry,  or  choice  products  of  the  garden. 

For  the  comfort  of  home  gardeners  who  may  be 
struggling  with  poor  soil,  it  is  worth  while  to  remark 
that  the  ground  which  now  serves  Mr.  Burbank  for  his 
famous  experimental  garden  was  thought  to  be  so  poor 
that  no  one  wanted  it.  He  made  it  over  to  suit  his 
purpose.  His  mention  of  the  fact  led  to  a  discussion 
of  the  extent  to  which  it  is  possible  for  the  man  who  uses 
a  small  piece  of  ground,  not  only  to  change  the  soil,  but, 
in  a  sense,  to  alter  the  climate.  Prince  Kropotkin  tells 
us  how  the  French  gardeners  have  taken  the  raw  edge 
off  their  climate  and  forced  the  growth  of  their  plants, 
not  only  by  the  use  of  glass  for  cover,  but  by  the  con- 
struction of  stone  walls  which  hold  and  reflect  the  heat 
while  also  furnishing  perfect  protection  from  the  winds. 
In  the  matter  of  scientific  and  intensive  use  of  the 
soil,  we  have  not  touched  the  hem  of  the  garment  in  this 
country  as  yet.  We  have  run  to  broad  acres  and 
speculation,  to  machinery  and  hired  men.     We  are  just 


112  City  Homes  on   Country  Lanes 

now  at  the  dawn  of  a  new  and  infinitely  finer  day.  Not 
broad  acres,  but  little  lands ;  not  speculation,  but  home 
building;  not  the  grudging  labor  of  hirelings,  but  the 
loving  labor  of  self-employing  proprietors — these  are 
the  signs  and  tokens  of  the  new  day.  Of  that  day 
Luther  Burbank  is  the  prophet  beyond  anything  we 
have  realized  heretofore.  It  is  not  merely  the  dollars- 
and-cents  side  of  his  work,  though  that  is  important. 
Surely,  it  is  important  to  improve  the  quality  of  fruit, 
to  double  or  treble  the  productive  capacity  of  a  plant, 
to  bring  a  vegetable  into  the  market  four  or  six  weeks 
ahead  of  its  season,  and  thus  to  increase  the  earning 
capacity  of  the  man  who  lives  from  the  soil.  But  even 
more  important  is  the  spirit  which  he  puts  into  his 
work,  and  which  in  time  must  be  diffused  among  the 
masses  engaged  in  the  tilling  of  the  land.  It  is  the 
spirit  which  calls  for  better  and  ever  better  things, 
which  tends  constantly  and  strongly  toward  higher 
standards  of  labor  and  of  living,  and  puts  science  in 
place  of  chance.  This  is  the  spirit  which  is  to  give  us 
the  New  Earth. 

I  asked  Mr.  Burbank  wliat  of  his  own  creations  were 
particularly  adapted  to  serve  as  a  cash  surplus  crop 
for  the  home  gardener.  He  mentioned  his  new  tomato, 
which  anticipates  the  usual  season  by  four  to  six  weeks 
as  something  that  will  be  particularly  profitable.  He 
recurred  again  to  the  "QuaHty"  asparagus,  which  is  so 
great  a  favorite  upon  his  own  table.  Tlie  Burbank 
Giant  Crimson  rhubuil)  was  also  mentioned  for  winter 
and  early  spring.  Then  he  sent  out  for  some  specimens 
of  his  improved  "balloon"  raspberry,  averaging  about 
three  inches  around.     They  were  so  big  I  could  hardly 


Luther  Burhank  and  the  New  Earth         113 

believe  thcin  to  be  raspberries  at  all,  at  first,  and  yet 
very  sweet  and  indescribably  delicate.  He  has  picked 
253  of  these  berries  at  one  time  from  a  single  bush. 
And  they  ripen  four  weeks  before  the  common  rasp- 
berry. They  also  anticipate  blackberries  and  straw- 
berries by  something  like  six  weeks.  He  spoke  of  his 
blackberries,  particularly  two  varieties,  the  "Himalaya" 
and  the  "thornless,"  as  well  adapted  to  home  gardens. 

In  discussing  fruit  for  the  benefit  of  the  home  table, 
I  asked  him  what  he  thought  of  the  dwarf  trees.  "Why 
not  several  varieties  on  a  single  tree  of  ordinary  size,'"' 
he  suggested.  It  seems  he  has  one  apple  tree  now  ])ear- 
ing  526  varieties.  That  is  an  experimental  affair,  of 
course;  but  he  says  it  is  entirely  j^racticable  for  a  fam- 
ily to  raise  four  favorite  varieties  on  the  same  tree. 
He  recommends  this  plan  as  preferable  to  growing  dwarf 
trees,  even  from  the  standpoint  of  economizing  space. 
Asked  what  else  he  would  suggest  as  peculiarly  suitable 
for  those  who  miglit  wish  to  supplement  their  income  by 
selling  some  surplus  from  their  gardens,  Mr.  Burbank 
answered : 

"Improved  golden  bantam  sweet-corn ;  cocoanut 
squash,  which  requires  little  space,  keeps  good  through- 
out nearly  the  whole  year,  and  is  of  most  desirable  size 
and  quality ;  the  production  of  various  herbs  and  seeds, 
specializing  on  one  or  more." 

Whenever  I  walk  in  a  garden  and  enjoy  the  oppor- 
tunity to  eat  the  fruit  directly  from  tree  or  vine,  I 
find  myself  envying  those  who  have  nothing  to  do  with 
the  grocer  and  the  various  middlemen  through  whom 
the  people  of  cities  get  their  sup])lies.  This  was  par- 
ticularly the  case  as  I  sampled  the  new  varieties  in  Mr, 


114  City  Homeb  on  Country  Lanes 

Burbank's  garden.  I  do  not  know  how  his  latest  straw- 
berry will  taste  when  you  get  it  through  the  channels 
of  commerce,  but  if  you  should  taste  it  as  it  comes  from 
the  vine,  sweet  with  California  sunshine,  you  would  think 
a  poem  on  the  spot. 

I  did  not  seek  to  draw  out  my  distinguished  host  on 
the  subject  of  intensive  poultry  culture  and  other 
economic  hopes  of  little  landing  not  strictly  limited  to 
the  use  of  the  soil.  I  was  content  to  know  that  he  be- 
lieves the  garden  will  do  its  generous  share  for  the  fam- 
ily taljle,  and,  from  the  surplus  of  berries,  vegetables 
and  flowers,  contribute  to  the  necessary  cash  income. 
But  I  was  delighted  to  discover  that  his  home  dairy 
consists  of  two  beautiful  Saanen  goats.  When  I  told 
him  I  was  an  enthusiast  on  the  future  of  the  milch  goat, 
he  said:  "So  am  I,"  and  proceeded  to  describe  the  su- 
periority of  goat's  milk  over  that  of  cows. 

Mr.  Burbank  believes  in  the  new  life  of  the  land  as 
the  solution  of  our  national  social  problem — the  prob- 
lem of  accommodating  a  vast  increase  in  our  citizenship 
in  a  higher  degree  of  average  comfort  than  that  which 
now  prevails.  He  says:  "It  is  the  way  to  double  our 
population." 

No  phase  of  Mr.  Burbank's  philosophy  has  chal- 
lenged public  opinion  more  sharply  than  that  part 
which  is  cml)0(Hed  in  his  book,  "The  Training  of  the 
Human  Tlant."  He  is  a  lover  of  cliildren,  as  of  flowers 
and  ])lants  and  l)irds,  and  he  is  very  deeply  concerned 
for  the  future  of  tlie  American  child.  In  the  abnormal 
growth  of  cities  he  reads  a  deep  menace  to  the  welfare 
of  coining  gcnenitioMs.     He  says: 

"Every    child    should    have    mudpies,    grasshoppers, 


Luther  Bwrbanh  and  the  New  Earth        115 

water-bugs,  tadpoles,  frogs,  mud-turtles,  elderberries, 
wild  strawberries,  acorns,  chestnuts ;  trees  to  climb, 
brooks  to  wade  in ;  water-lilies,  wood-chucks,  bats,  bees, 
butterflies,  various  animals  to  pet,  hay-fields,  pine  cones, 
rocks  to  roll,  sand,  snakes,  huckleberries,  and  hornets; 
and  any  child  who  has  been  deprived  of  these  has  been 
deprived  of  the  best  part  of  his  education." 

The  man  who  feels  that  wa}^  about  children  must 
yearn  for  the  restoration  of  a  wholesome  life  upon  the 
land,  even  as  some  men  yearn  for  military  preparedness. 
Since  no  thoughtful  man  can  fail  to  note  that  the  older 
forms  of  country  life  have  lost  their  hold  on  the  human 
heart,  it  follows  as  a  corollary  that  new  forms,  more 
attractive  and  more  satisfying,  nmst  be  created  precise- 
ly as  Luther  Burbank  has  created  new  forms  of  plant 
life.  This  being  so,  I  never  felt  it  was  necessary  to 
ask  him  how  he  stood  on  the  question;  yet,  it  is  com- 
forting to  be  assured  that  this  great  man,  who  knows 
and  loves  the  soil  as  perhaps  no  other  man  in  the  world 
knows  and  loves  it,  believes  in  the  saving  grace  of  the 
New  Earth. 


CHAPTER      X 

THE    SPIRIT    OF    CREATIVE    GARDENING 

Oh,  when  I  am  safe  in  my  sylvan  home, 

I  tread  on  the  pride  of  Greece  and  Rome; 

And  when  I  am  stretched  beneath  the  pines, 

Where  the  evening  star  so  holy  shines, 

I  laugh  at  the  lore  and  pride  of  man, 

At   the   Sophist   schools    and   the   learned   clan; 

For  what  are  they  all  in  their  high  conceit. 

When  man  in  the  busa  with  God  may  meet? 

Emerson. 

IT  is  the  spirit  of  Luther  Burbank,  far  more  than  his 
actual  achievement  as  a  plant-breeder,  that  is  to 
count  in  the  future  life  of  the  land,  and  especially 
of  the  garden  home.  Authorities  disagree  as  to  the 
importance  of  his  achievement.  Prof.  Hugo  De  Vries, 
of  the  University  of  Amsterdam,  in  Holland,  declared 
that  "there  is  no  one  in  Europe  who  can  even  compare 
with  him."  On  the  other  hand,  there  are  critical  voices 
in  American  scientific  circles  that  belittle  the  importance 
of  his  work,  and  apparently  resent  his  world-wide  fame. 
In  the  meantime,  his  influence  is  extending  year  by  year, 
and  his  creations  are  multiplying,  while  the  freight- 
trains  from  California  groan  under  the  load  of  products 
his  genius  gave  to  tlie  gardener  and  orchardist  in  former 
years. 

There  arc,  of  course,  many  forces  engaged  in  making 
"better  and  still  better  fruits,  nuts,  grains  and  flowers," 
as   Mr.   Burbank  insistently  urges.      Year   after  year 

116 


The  Spirit  of  Creative  Gardening  117 

improved  varieties  are  introduced  by  seed  houses  and 
nurserj'men,  while  Science  is  carrying  on  its  subtle  work 
of  research  and  experimentation  in  a  thousand  ways. 
The  experimental  and  demonstration  work  of  the  United 
States  Department  of  Agriculture,  already  of  vast 
scope  and  immeasurable  importance,  is  constantly  in- 
creasing and  extending  its  practical  value  throughout 
the  country.  Men  and  women  of  scientific  taste  and 
aptitude,  sometimes  beginning  with  little  technical 
knowledge,  but  developing  it  as  they  go  along,  are  do- 
ing wonderful  things  in  a  quiet  way.  One  such  instance 
came  under  my  observation  in  the  extreme  southwestern 
corner  of  the  United  States. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  B.  Frank  established  experi- 
mental gardens  near  the  famous  artist  colony  of  Gross- 
mont,  ten  miles  from  San  Diego,  California.  Among 
other  things  they  perfected  a  new  string  bean,  unusually 
large,  crisp  and  meaty  and  without  strings.  It  is  a 
handsome,  green-mottled  bean,  which  attracts  buyers 
by  its  appearance,  and  sells  at  a  fancy  price  in  the  mar- 
ket. It  bears  heavily,  and  shows  a  higher  percentage 
of  butter  fat  and  protein  than  any  other  variety. 

The  orchid  lettuce,  wliich  originated  in  France,  where 
it  grew  luxuriously  but  would  not  head,  was  perfected 
in  the  Frank  gardens.  It  has  a  large,  loose  head,  with 
purplish  and  reddish  leaves,  deliciously  crisp  and  tender. 
It  makes  an  attractive  salad  leaf,  and  Mrs.  Frank  de- 
veloped a  pui-ple  potato  to  go  with  it,  so  she  could 
serve  what  she  calls  a  "violet  luncheon."  To  carry 
this  fancy  still  further  Mr.  Frank  crossed  a  tomato 
with  an  egg-plant.  The  result  is  a  very  mild-flavored 
tomato,    large    and    solid,    of    rich    egg-plant    purple. 


118  City  Homes  on  Comntry  Lanes 

Among  other  Frank  creations  are  a  mottled  squash; 
unusually  sweet  corn;  an  improved  cucumber,  reaching 
fifteen  inches  in  length,  and  tipping  the  scales  at  three 
and  one-half  pounds,  while  remaining  crisp  and  tender. 
He  has  also  gone  far  in  the  quest  of  a  seedless  water- 
melon. 

This  is  but  one  among  a  thousand  examples  of  what 
is  being  accomplished  by  plant-breeders  whose  work  has 
not  yet  attracted  wide  attention,  but  whose  silent  labors 
are  constantly  swelling  the  tide  of  progressive  horti- 
culture. 

It  is  not  to  be  expected,  and  perhaps  not  to  be  de- 
sired, that  all  home  gardeners  shall  attempt  to  become 
scientific  plant-breeders  ;  but  the  thing  that  is  eminently 
desirable  is  that  they  shall  take  on  the  spirit  of  creative 
gardening,  sharing  Lutlier  Burbank's  faith  in  the  po- 
tentialities of  the  New  Earth.  When  this  spirit  fills 
the  minds  and  hearts  of  our  people  we  shall  see  a 
marked  advance  in  every  department — better  food,  bet- 
ter homes,  better  people,  better  everything  entering  into 
the  common  life.  This  is  the  ideal:  We  are  not  to  be 
satisfied  with  things  as  they  are;  even  with  the  fruits 
and  vegetables  that  Nature  gives  us.  We  are  to  insist 
uj)on  the  best  that  can  be  done  in  the  liglit  of  scientific 
knowledge,  becoming  partners  in  the  work  of  creation 
— at  least  in  an  humble  sense. 

'I'lic  first  step  of  tliis  process  is  to  adopt  tlie  new 
nictiiod.s  and  new  products  as  they  come  from  the 
master  minds,  instead  of  being  satisfied  with  the  old. 
It  is  amazing  to  know  how  interest  in  the  garden — the 
interest  of  one's  self  and  of  one's  neighbors — is  quick- 
ened and  freshened  in  this  way.    To  grow  a  tomato  that 


The  Spirit  of  Creative  Gardening  119 

is  less  acid  than  tlie  common  varieties,  one  that  matures 
more  quickly,  thus  escaping  the  early  and  late  frosts 
(for  the  tomato  is  a  delicate  plant)  is  to  make  garden- 
ing an  almost  exciting  adventure.  So  it  is  with  the 
whole  range  of  production.  The  adventure  goes  on  to 
the  dinner-table,  when  the  new  products  are  served  to 
one's  friends.  And  if  there  is  a  little  surplus  for  mar- 
ket, and  the  product  is  sufficiently  superior  to  bring  a 
few  cents  more  per  pound  than  the  common  varieties, 
the  adventure  culminates  in  a  deep  sense  of  satisfaction. 
There  is  a  principle  here  that  reaches  far,  and  is  truly 
creative. 

I  am  thinking  as  I  write  of  one  small  home  at  Palo 
Alto,  California,  which  admirably  illustrates  this  prin- 
ciple, and  its  influence  upon  owner  and  neighbors. 

George  Hobden  had  a  lot  50x1121/0  feet;  in  all  5,625 
square-feet — about  one-seventh  of  an  acre.  The  house 
occupied  1,225  square-feet;  the  area  for  walks  and 
driveway  1,825  square-feet;  and  the  rabbit  house  500 
square-feet ;  so  the  vacant  space  left  for  cultivation  was 
only  2,075  square-feet ;  and  yet  he  had  room  for  22  fruit 
trees,  some  of  them  seven  years  old,  and  in  full  bear- 
ing; and  for  a  good  garden.  His  total  investment  for 
land,  house  and  improvements  was  no  more  than  $2,700. 
But  this  was  made  possible  because  he  had  done  much 
of  the  work  himself. 

During  his  boyhood  days  in  England  Mr.  Hobden 
learned  the  art  of  training  trees  to  grow  on  walls  or 
trellises  like  grapevines.  This  enabled  him  to  economize 
space.  He  also  adopted  the  method  of  scientific  graft- 
ing of  several  fruits  upon  a  single  stock,  so  that  start- 
ing with  a  peach-tree,  he  had  branches  producing  apri- 


120  City  Homes  on   Country  Lanes 

cots,  nectarines,  Satsuma  plums,  Imperial  prunes ;  and 
all  growing  upon  one  tree.  Within  his  box-bordered 
walks  he  raised  vegetables  in  the  most  intensive  fashion. 

The  rent-free  home,  vegetables  and  finiit,  with  meat 
from  the  rabbitry,  represented  quite  a  part  of  the  fam- 
ily living,  even  upon  this  very  small  plot  of  ground. 
But  that  is  not  the  point  of  the  story.  The  point  is 
that  Mr.  Hobden  made  a  very  distingue  garden,  which, 
on  that  account,  became  a  rare  joy  to  himself  and  to 
his  neighbors — even  an  object  of  public  pride.  Making 
a  liberal  investment  of  love  and  skill,  he  collected  gen- 
erous dividends  of  satisfaction. 

If  this  unusual  spirit  can  be  made  the  common  spirit, 
it  will  result  in  a  great  uplift  of  garden-home  standards, 
with  a  wholesome  reaction  upon  the  character  of  the 
people  themselves. 

Much  has  been  said  about  vegetables,  yet  the  fruits 
of  tree  and  vine  are  equally  important  in  the  scheme  of 
luxurious  living  for  average  people.  I  have  a  friend  in 
California  who  never  speaks  of  fruit  trees,  but  always 
of  "food  trees."  It  is  an  illuminating  phrase,  because 
it  brings  home  to  the  mind  the  real  economic  significance 
of  the  garden  home.  The  fruit  tree  is  to  be  planted  and 
lovingly  nourished,  as  one  of  the  bread-winners.  We 
shall  count  it  "present"  at  breakfast,  lunch,  and  dinner 
— not  only  in  "the  good  old  summer  time"  and  in 
autumn  harvest  days,  but  in  the  winter,  when  it  speaks 
in  the  language  of  jams  and  ])reserves.  It  is  not  a  case 
of  "Everybody  works  but  fatlier,"  In  the  garden  home 
everybody  and  everything  works — not  grudgingly,  but 
willingly   and   lovingly — not   only   father,   mother  and 


Tlie  Spirit  of  Creative  Gardening  121 

tlie  cliildren,  but  every  incli  of  the  ground,  together 
with  the  sunshine,  the  dew  and  the  rain.  Man  and  Na- 
ture smile  uj)on  the  home-in-a-garden.  It  is  in  tune  with 
the  Infinite ! 

The  liope  of  spirituahzing  tlie  future  life  of  the  soil 
lies  right  here  in  getting  large  numbers  of  people  to  ac- 
cept the  creative  state  of  mind  and  carry  it  through  all 
phases  of  their  daily  work.  The  fact  that  they  are 
working  for  themselves  on  their  own  ground,  where  they 
arc  not,  like  most  of  the  country-minded  now  dwelling 
in  city  apartments,  mere  tenants  at  will,  but  engaged  in 
the  evolution  of  their  own  homes — this  fact  should  of 
itself  go  far  towards  producing  the  right  mental  atti- 
tude. The  further  fact  that  they  are  surrounded  by 
neighbors  living  under  the  same  conditions  and  sharing 
the  same  ideals  should  count  in  the  same  direction.  The 
fact  that  these  people  are  escaping,  so  far  as  their  home 
life  and  work  are  concerned,  from  the  regimentation  of 
the  city  experience,  and  finding  opportunity  for  the 
expression  of  individuality,  ought  to  help  powerfully. 

Surely,  there  could  be  no  finer  soil  for  the  cultivation 
of  the  highest  attributes  of  family  life,  as  well  as  of 
citizenship,  than  that  offered  by  the  garden  city,  under- 
taken in  the  right  spirit  and  organized  in  the  right  way. 
But,  in  the  last  analysis,  all  this  will  depend  on  the 
people  themselves.  It  is  the  old  story:  "You  can  lead 
a  horse  to  water,  but  you  can't  make  him  drink." 

What  I  am  saying  is  that  up  to  this  time  no  one  has 
supplied  the  necessary  "leading."  There  is  plenty  of 
"water,"  and  there  is  no  doubt  about  the  popular 
"thirst"  for  the  garden  home  and  all  it  implies  in  the 


122  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

way  of  genuine  freedom  for  our  people.  Tliat  they  will 
make  good  use  of  the  opportunity  when  at  last  it  shall 
be  offered,  I  personally  have  no  more  doubt  than  of 
the  rising  of  to-morrow's  sun. 


CHAPTER    XI 

THE   OLD   HEN   IN   A   NEW   ENVIRONMENT 

"Ma  Duck,  she  lays  a  bigger  egg 

Than  the  helpful   hen  can  lay; 
But  when  she's  through  she  cackles  not 

But  simply  walks  away. 
And   so  we  scorn  the   silent  duck; 

But  the  helpful  hen  we  prize; 
Which  is  only  another  way  to  say 

That  it  pays  to  advertise." 

THE  garden  and  the  little  family  orchard,  how- 
ever lovingly  cared  for,  supply  but  a  part  of  the 
luxurious  fare  that  must  be  brought  within  reach 
of  every  household.  The  good  old  family  hen !  What 
visions  of  fresh  eggs  and  fat  spring  chickens  are  evoked 
by  the  mention  of  her  name !  What  is  breakfast  without 
a  fresh  egg.''  And  how  rare  is  a  really  fresh  egg  in  these 
days  of  urban  congestion !  Who  ever  had  too  much 
chicken — especially  fried  chicken.'*  These  things  are 
the  staples  of  life;  and  the  garden  home  without  a 
poultry  yard  would  fall  far  short  of  fulfilling  its  mis- 
sion. 

This  does  not  mean,  as  the  reader  may  hastily  assume, 
the  old  sort  of  poultrycraft  that  turns  the  cliickens  loose 
to  run  all  over  the  lot,  destroying  the  garden  and 
annoying  the  neighbors.  We  are  to  have  the  old  hen, 
but  in  a  new  environment — in  other  words,  the  intensive 
hen  to  go  with  the  intensive  garden.  There  have  been 
wonderful  developments   along   these  lines   during  the 

123 


1S4  City  Homes  on   Country  Lanes 

past  few  years,  especially  in  California,  where 
thousands  of  people  are  getting  their  living  in  whole 
or  in  part  from  very  small  holdings.  Such  people  have 
often  found  that  the  best  chance  for  cash  income  lies 
in  specializing  in  poultry;  and  that  the  way  to  secure 
heavy  egg  production  on  the  smallest  space  is  to  engage 
in  the  intensive  cultivation  of  the  laying  hen. 

The  old  plan  of  turning  the  hens  out  to  pasture  in  the 
neighborhood  at  large  is  completely  abolished.  Mrs. 
Hen  is  always  "at  home"  to  her  callers.  She  is  fre- 
quently without  a  family  of  her  own — no  husband  or 
children,  but  plenty  of  brothers  and  sisters.  Infertile 
eggs  are  preferred  in  the  market,  and  sometimes  com- 
mand a  superior  price.  For  the  increase  of  the  flock, 
setting  eggs  are  purchased ;  or,  more  frequently,  day- 
old  chicks,  which  arc  turned  out  by  the  million  in  large 
hatcheries.  The  egg-farmer  specializes  on  eggs,  while 
others  specialize  on  fine  settings  and  ready-made  chicks. 

The  plan  is  ideal  for  the  garden  homo,  where  hun- 
dreds or  thousands  of  families  may  be  living  on  lots 
ranging  from  a  quarter  of  an  acre  to  one  or  two  acres 
in  size;  and  where  the  object  of  the  small,  neat,  well- 
kept  poultry  house  is  to  supply  the  family  with  plenty 
of  fresh  eggs  and  fat  chickens  to  go  with  the  other 
products  of  the  place  in  making  up  the  elements  of 
the  luxurious  table.  There  are  so  many  methods  of 
intensive  poultry  culture  now  in  vogue  that  it  is  diffi- 
cult to  do  more  here  than  to  indicate  the  place  of  the 
laying  hen  in  this  new  way  of  life.  It  is  plain,  of  course, 
that  we  must  have  eggs,  and  we  must  have  chickens  ; 
just  as  we  must  have  the  nicest  vegetables  and  fruits, 
and  all  kinds  of  (hlicious  jams  and  j)rest'rves  ;  and  it  is 


The  Old  Hen  in  a  New  Environment         125 

very  important  to  know  that  the  little  intensive  poultry 
house  is  precisely  as  practical  as  the  little  intensive 
garden  and  orchard. 

The  several  systems  now  contending  for  popularity 
differ  in  their  methods  of  housing  and  feeding,  but  they 
stand  together  on  one  fundamental  principle,  which  is 
the  principle  of  segregation.  This  principle  was  the 
discovery  of  a  Mr.  Philo,  of  Elmira,  New  York,  whose 
ideas  created  a  furore  in  the  poultry  world  some  years 
ago.  His  views  were  so  radical  as  to  arouse  the  scorn 
of  professional  poultrymen,  but  the  promised  profits 
were  so  alluring  as  to  induce  thousands  of  novices  to  go 
into  the  business  in  their  backyards.  The  Philo  plan 
provided  for  a  unit  of  six  hens,  kept  in  a  pen  4x6  feet, 
and  never  allowed  to  run  at  large.  These  units,  of 
course,  might  be  multiplied  indefinitely.  It  was  claimed 
that  the  plan  would  result  in  a  very  great  increase  of 
egg-production  as  compared  with  tlie  old  methods,  with 
cash  profits  in  proportion.  Strange  as  it  may  seem,  the 
plan  was  not  disappointing,  so  far  as  egg-production 
was  concerned.  Hens  kept  in  this  way  were  far  more 
prolific  than  an  equal  number  herded  in  large  flocks  and 
permitted  their  freedom.  For  those  who  desired  to 
keep  but  a  few  hens  for  home  use,  the  Philo  system  was 
entirely  successful ;  but  it  broke  down  when  extended 
to  large  proportions  because  of  the  immense  detail  and 
back-breaking  drudgery  involved  in  caring  for  many 
small  coops.  Kggs  were  produced  in  satisfying  quanti- 
ties, but  at  a  cost  which  made  it  impracticable  from  a 
commercial  standpoint. 

The  valuable  lesson  which  Philo  taught  the  world  was 
that    a    few   well-bred,    well-fed,    well-cared-for    fowls. 


126  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

segregated  and  kept  in  close  confinement,  would  produce 
more  eggs  and  earn  more  money  per  hen  than  could  be 
realized  by  old-fashioned  methods.  In  other  words,  the 
modern  intensive  hen  is  a  better  business  proposition 
than  the  ancient  promiscuous  hen.  Many  enterprising 
poultry  experts  proceeded  to  build  on  this  principle, 
with  excellent  results.  My  own  favorite  among  them 
all  is  Charles  Weeks,  of  Palo  Alto,  California — a  man 
of  such  distinction  in  his  line  of  work,  and  so  good  a 
prophet  and  exemplar  of  the  theme  of  this  book,  that 
we  must  pause  for  a  moment  to  note  his  significance  in 
the  movement. 

Mr.  Weeks  was  bom  on  a  farm  in  Indiana,  and  fell 
deeply  in  love  with  the  poultry  game  at  an  early  age. 
In  spite  of  this,  he  turned  to  the  big  city  for  his  oppor- 
tunity, like  many  other  country-bred  boys  of  liberal 
education.  He  found  no  difficulty  in  getting  remunera- 
tive employment,  first  in  Chicago,  then  in  New  York; 
and  doubtless  would  have  made  his  way  in  city  life,  but 
he  was  distinctly  country-minded  in  temperament  and 
never  quite  satisfied  with  life  among  the  skyscrapers. 
Passing  up  Fourth  Avenue  one  day,  his  ears  were 
assailed  by  the  welcome  sound  of  cackling  hens  and 
crowing  cocks  announcing  the  annual  poultry  show  in 
Madison  Square  Garden.  He  bought  a  ticket  and  went 
in  to  feast  his  eyes  on  the  poultry  aristocracy  of  Amer- 
ica. That  experience  rekindled  his  early  love,  and 
spoiled  him  for  the  city;  his  heart  was  set  on  egg- 
farming  as  a  profession.  I  use  the  word  "profession'* 
advisedly,  because  Mr.  Weeks  had  tliouglit  of  it  from 
the  beginning  as  sonietliing  that  shouhl  be  approached 
and  dealt  with  in  the  highest  professional  spirit,  with 


:3 1.5 

?  -"a 


3  V 


The  Old  Hen  in  a  New  Environment        127 

the  advantage  of  all  available  knowledge.  With  this 
purpose  in  view,  he  turned  his  back  on  the  city,  going 
first  to  Indiana.  He  soon  decided,  however,  that  Cali- 
fornia was  the  better  field,  and  it  was  there,  after  a  hard 
struggle  covering  a  period  of  a  dozen  years,  that  he 
finally  evolved  into  a  thoroughly  successful  egg-farmer 
and  expert  authority  on  the  subject. 

Mr.  Weeks  tried  many  different  methods.  His  hous- 
ing and  feeding  plans  were  never  precisely  alike  for  any 
two  successive  years,  until  he  evolved  his  present  system 
in  1916.  When  he  began,  he  thought  ten  acres  a  small 
farm  for  his  purpose.  When  he  ended  his  experiments 
he  had  demonstrated  that  one  acre  was  ample  for  an 
average  family,  and  two  or  three  acres  about  all  that 
should  be  undertaken  under  any  circumstances.  He  had 
satisfied  himself  that  he  could  subsist  on  even  less  than 
one  acre — possibly  so  little  as  one-half  or  one-quarter 
of  an  acre;  but  he  would  not  like  to  do  so,  nor  would  he 
advise  any  one  else  to  undertake  it  with  a  view  of  getting 
their  entire  living,  and  a  really  good  living,  from  the 
land.  I  mention  these  lower  figures  only  as  a  means  of 
emphasizing  the  very  intensive  character  of  the  system 
worked  out  by  him,  and  widely  adopted  throughout  the 
length  and  breadth  of  the  Pacific  Coast. 

The  Weeks  poultry  system  is  ideal  for  the  home-in-a- 
garden  because  it  occupies  so  little  space.  The  unit  he 
arrived  at  after  years  of  experimenting  with  the  segre- 
gation principle  is  twenty  hens  and  no  rooster — that 
is,  for  house  and  market  eggs.  These  twenty  hens 
are  confined  in  a  house  8x8  feet,  or  (JJ-  square-feet ;  5 
feet  high  at  the  rear;  7V-i  feet  in  front — (open  wire 
front)  ;  and  3-foot  roof  projection,  to  shut  out  the  rain 


128  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

and  furnish  protection  for  the  attendant.  The  object 
of  the  sA'stem  is  to  economize  labor  to  the  last  degree. 
This  is  accomplished  by  a  unique  feeding  system  which 
can  be  operated  wholly  from  the  outside.  The  eggs  are 
also  within  easy  reach  from  the  front  door  and  it  is 
rarely  necessary  to  enter  the  house,  even  for  cleaning, 
which  is  done  with  a  long-handled  rake.  One  peculiar 
feature  of  the  system  is  that  clean  sand  is  used  on  the 
floor  instead  of  straw.  This  makes  it  very  easy  to  clean 
the  pen  with  a  rake,  but  the  principal  object  is  to  avoid 
the  dust  wliich  arises  from  the  hen's  scratching  in  the 
straw,  and  which  is  a  prolific  cause  of  disease. 

Mr.  Weeks  is  a  profound  believer  in  the  efficiency  of 
a  combination  of  green  food  so  nicely  mixed,  chopped 
and  served  that  it  does,  indeed,  look  good  enough  for 
anybody  to  eat.  This,  as  well  as  the  dry  food  and 
water-basins,  is  kept  constantly  before  the  little  flock. 
There  is  no  lack  of  exercise,  because  the  pen  is  arranged 
in  such  a  way  as  to  keep  the  hens  very  active  in  the 
course  of  the  day's  work.  It  is  important  to  quote  him 
at  this  point : 

"Twenty  hens,  well  bred,  well  fed,  and  with  quarters 
kept  sanitary  in  this  little  pen,  are  good  for  at  least 
$2.00  per  year,  net  profit  above  all  expenses.  These 
twenty  hens  have  nice  sharp  sand  upon  the  ground-floor 
and  roosting  boards,  which  is  raked  clean  regularly. 
They  have  dry  mash  and  mixed  grain  by  them  con- 
tinually ;  they  can  stick  their  heads  through  to  the 
green  trough  outside  and  eat  green  feed  every  hour 
(luring  the  day ;  they  drink  water  from  clean,  galvanized 
l)uckets  on  the  outside;  they  dust  in  the  sand;  they 
jump  up  to  the  feed-hopper;  they  jump  down  again  to 


The  Old  Hen  in  a  New  Environment        129 

the  green-feed  trough ;  they  run  to  the  water ;  they  hop 
up  to  the  egg  boxes  (which,  by  the  way,  is  the  most  im- 
portant move  of  the  day),  and  after  depositing  their 
board  bill  and  rent,  plus  the  extra  profit,  they  jump 
down  and  up  again  to  the  perches  for  an  afternoon  rest, 
or  stretch  out  in  the  afternoon  sunshine  which  comes  in 
through  the  western  window.  Their  wliole  day  is  given 
up  to  their  own  individual  care;  and  with  all  the  neces- 
saries before  them,  all  the  time  is  available  for  making 
eggs.  With  their  morning  sun-bath  and  noon  sand-bath, 
free  from  draft  or  foul,  dusty  air — with  all  these  ideal 
conditions — they  have  got  to  cither  'lay  or  bust !'  " 

The  home  gardener  who  wants  eggs  and  chickens  only 
for  home  use,  would  need  but  a  single  unit  under  this 
plan,  but  the  housing  can  be  indefinitely  extended,  and 
does,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  extend  for  hundreds  of  feet  in 
many  instances.  The  drawbacks  of  the  Philo  system 
are  not  present  here,  because  of  the  very  great  economy 
secured  in  all  the  operations  of  the  system.  An  average 
family  can  readily  care  for  1,000  hens.  In  fact,  Mr. 
Weeks  is  now  surrounded  by  hundreds  of  families  work- 
ing on  the  basis  of  1,000  hens  on  a  single  acre,  with 
ample  room  for  the  home  and  home  garden,  as  well  as  all 
the  green  food  required  for  the  poultry.  Locally,  the 
system  has  been  almost  universally  adopted. 

Mr.  Weeks  has  an  annual  gathering  at  liis  home, 
attended  by  representative  poultrymcn  from  all  over 
the  Pacific  Coast,  so  that  for  years  his  mctiiods  have 
been  brought  under  the  white  light  of  publicity  and 
criticism  freely  invited.  It  should  by  no  means  be  in- 
ferred that  everybody  agrees  with  him  in  all  details. 
On  the  contrary,  many  who  admire  and  use  the  system, 


130  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

modify  it  in  certain  respects — usually  in  the  direction 
of  increasing  the  size  of  the  unit  flock,  or  adding  small 
yards  at  the  rear  of  the  house,  on  the  theory  that  it  is 
a  trifle  rough  on  the  hen  to  keep  her  constantly  con- 
fined ;  that  she  should  have  a  chance  to  get  out  occasion- 
ally and  kick  up  her  heels.  Mr.  Weeks  believes  that 
space  is  used  more  profitably  by  making  it  produce 
such  things  as  kale  and  mangel-wurzel  beets,  and  that 
while  the  privilege  of  the  run  of  the  yard  may  indeed  be 
agreeable  to  the  hen,  it  adds  nothing  to  her  health  or 
efficiency. 

The  thing  that  interests  us  just  now  is  that  while 
We  are  to  deal  with  the  good  old  family  hen,  she  is  to  be 
placed  in  entirely  new  environment.  Otherwise  it  would, 
perhaps,  not  be  feasible  to  create  thousands  of  garden 
homes  around  all  the  great  cities  of  tlie  land  with  such 
density  as  to  enable  them  to  enjoy  all  the  benefits  of  the 
needed  public  utilities,  and  sucli  other  advantages  as 
we  covet  for  the  home-in-a-garden. 

A  thoroughly  representative  experience  for  our  pres- 
ent purpose  is  that  of  John  W.  Gottsch,  of  San  Ysidro, 
near  San  Diego,  California.  His  home  occupies  about 
one-third  of  an  acre,  and  is  surrounded  by  near  neigh- 
bors on  every  hand.  He  is  busily  engaged,  not  only  with 
his  trade  as  a  j)luniber,  but  also  as  manager  of  a  public 
water  system,  with  many  consumers.  Necessarily  his 
poultry  venture  is  a  side  issue,  like  his  vegetables,  berries 
and  fruit  trees,  ratlier  than  liis  main  su])port.  He  does, 
however,  realize  all  the  advantages  we  are  claiming  for 
the  home  gardener  of  the  future— not  only  by  saving 
rent  and  reducing  living  costs  to  the  mininmm,  but  by 
enjoying  all    neighborhood   advantages   and  proximity 


Th€  Old  Hen  in  a  New  Environment  131 

to  a  large  city.     He  keeps  more  hens  than  needed  for 

his   home   use — following   the   Weeks    plan ;    and  here 
are  the  exact  results  for  the  year  1919: 

Credit. 

Feed  on  hand  December  31,  1919   $  57.87 

Total   cash    received    for   eggs    773.61 

Total  cash   received   for   poultry    103.54 

Eggs    used    at    home    38.45 

Poultry   used    at    home    15.38 

Value  of  stock  on  hand  Dec.  31,  1919: 

87  hens  at  $1.20  each   104.40 

1.36  pullets  at  $1.50  each   204.00 

6  Bantam  hens,  at  35  cents  each   2.10 

5  cockerels,   20    lbs.    each    6.40 

2  cocks,  10  lbs.  each   1.50 

1  Bantam  cock    .35 

$1,307.80 
Debit. 
Total    outlay     for     feed,    chicks,    disinfectants, 

sand,    freight,    etc $697.42 

Value  of  116  hens  on  hand  Jan.  1,  1919    137.50  834.92 


Profit   for   the   year    $    472.88 

Here  is  a  cash  income  equal  to  nearly  $40  a  month ; 
possibly  enough  to  pay  the  "store  bill"  of  a  family 
situated  like  that  of  Mr,  Gottsch.  Probably  it  would 
more  than  keep  up  the  monthly  payments  on  the  aver- 
age garden  holding  near  any  of  our  large  cities.  I  see 
many  a  commuter  coming  to  town  with  a  basket  of  fresh 
eggs,  to  be  delivered  to  some  private  customer  at  full 
retail  price,  and  I  observe  the  smile  of  satisfaction  as  he 
pockets  the  money,  saying  to  himself:  "So  much  more 
to  apply  on  the  little  home."  Furthermore,  the  income 
from  surplus  eggs  would  enable  many  an  individual, 
either  man  or  woman,  to  retire  comfortably  after  pass- 


132  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

ing  middle  age,  though  it  might  be  necessary  to  increase 
the  number  of  units,  which  would  be  entirely  feasible  for 
one  having  the  whole  day  at  his  disposal. 

I  am  tliinking  all  the  time  of  those  who  will  say :  "Oh, 
yes,  it  can  be  done  in  California,  but  nowhere  else." 
And  my  uniform  reply  is :  "It  can  be  done  anywhere  in 
the  United  States,  and  in  many  places  better  than  in 
California."  The  rest  of  the  country  does  not  need  the 
California  climate  half  so  much  as  it  needs  the  Cali- 
fornia spirit ;  or,  if  I  may  descend  to  the  vernacular,  the 
California  "punch." 

Yes,  the  home-in-a-garden  will  have  plenty  of  fresh 
eggs  and  fried  chicken,  to  say  nothing  of  chicken  in 
many  other  forms.  But  this  is  by  no  means  all  that 
is  to  go  on  those  luxurious  tables.  It  will  not  do  to 
confine  our  diet  to  one  kind  of  meat,  however  good  it  is. 


CHAPTER    XII 

THE  RABBIT  IN  THE  GARDEN   ECONOMY 

THE  place  of  the  chicken  is  well  established  on 
every  bill-of-fare.  Not  so  the  rabbit — at  least, 
in  America.  And  yet,  rabbit  meat  is  as  white 
and  delicate  as  chicken,  rather  more  nutritious,  and  now 
often  preferred  by  physicians  in  prescribing  for  con- 
valescents ;  and  the  rabbit  is  an  ideal  kind  of  livestock 
for  the  garden  home.  Like  the  chicken,  it  lives  largely 
from  the  surplus  greens  in  the  garden,  and  is  amenable 
to  the  most  intensive  methods  of  housing  and  feeding, 
so  that  it  may  be  kept,  even  in  goodly  numbers,  on  a 
very  small  space  of  ground.  But,  unlike  the  chicken, 
the  rabbit  requires  a  friendly  propaganda  to  make  its 
virtues  understood  and  enable  it  to  win  its  rightful 
place  in  the  household,  the  restaurant,  and  the  hotel. 
During  the  past  few  years  this  propaganda  has  come 
into  being  in  the  form  of  a  strong  national  association, 
with  many  local  branches  and  a  growing  membership, 
with  annual  rabbit  shows  in  many  leading  cities.  It  has 
its  literature,  periodicals,  and  specialists  in  different 
departments.  During  the  War  it  attracted  the  atten- 
tion of  the  Government,  which  turned  to  this  humble 
quarter  as  a  means  of  increasing  the  country's  meat 
supply. 

In  Europe,  the  rabbit  is  an  old  story.     In  1912,  for 

133 


134  City  Homes  on   Country  Lanes 

example,  France  sold,  through  its  municipal  market 
alone,  some  80,000,000  rabbits,  and  millions  more  were 
distributed  through  other  channels.  Before  the  War, 
London  was  using  500,000  a  week — mostly  imported 
from  Belgium,  with  a  net  profit  of  about  a  million  dol- 
lars a  month  to  the  Belgian  producers. 

Formerly,  the  wild  rabbit  had  been  regarded  as  the 
worst  of  pests  in  Australia,  and  was  exterminated  by 
every  possible  means.  But,  during  the  War,  Australia 
was  commanded  to  conserve  her  rabbit  supply.  The 
animals  were  killed  on  an  enormous  scale,  frozen  and 
shipped  to  the  armies  in  France. 

In  the  United  States,  until  quite  recently,  rabbits 
have  been  treated  as  pets ;  they  had  no  economic  stand- 
ing whatever.  Now  they  are  rapidly  coming  into  their 
own  as  a  standard  meat  in  the  market,  Avliile  rabbitcraft 
is  developing  along  scientific  lines,  and  more  and  more 
offering  a  delightful  occupation  for  men  and  women. 
Their  place  in  the  economy  of  the  garden  home  is  un- 
questionable, Tliey  add  both  quantity  and  variety  to 
the  luxurious  table,  wliile  enhancing  the  fascination  of 
the  daily  tasks  and  swelling  the  joy  of  the  family. 

The  new  vogue  of  ral)bitcraft  should  not  be  con- 
founded witli  the  wild  boom  in  liclgian  hares  which  swept 
over  tlie  country  a  quarter  of  a  century  ago.  That  was 
purely  specuhitive  in  its  conception,  and  ridiculous  or 
tragic  in  its  consequences,  according  to  the  tempera- 
ment and  means  of  the  persons  involved  in  the  enter- 
prise. Some  of  them  paid  as  much  as  a  thousand  dol- 
lars for  a  pedigreed  buck.  Nearly  all  imbibed  the  full 
spirit  of  Colonel  Sellers,  and  came  to  believe  "There's 
millions  in  it !"     Everybody  raised  rabbits,  but  scarcely 


HABBITS    FOK   MEAT  AND    FUU 


1.  Dutch  rabbit,    'i.  Himalaya.    3.  Bcleiao  hare.    4.  American  Blue.    5.  Angora.    6. 
Checkered  giant 


The  Rabbit   in  tJie  Garden  Economy         135 

anybody  ate  them.  The  game  was  to  raise  fine  breeding 
stock  and  di.s{)ose  of  it  at  fabulous  profit  to  a  new  group 
of  beginners,  all  of  whom  expected  to  get  rich  in  the 
same  way.  So  long  as  everybody  was  a  buyer,  and  no- 
body a  seller,  the  business  flourished  like  unto  the  pro- 
verbial "green  bay  tree."  But,  when  conditions  were 
reversed  and  no  one  i)ought,  while  everybody  was  trying 
to  sell,  the  business  fell  like  a  house  of  cards. 

The  new  movement  is  wholly  different.  It  aims  first 
to  su])ply  the  family  with  delicious  and  wholesome  meat, 
and  then  to  cater  to  the  limited  but  growing  demand  in 
the  public  market.  Probal)ly  this  demand  is  stronger 
on  the  Pacific  Coast  than  in  the  East,  since  the  rabbits 
arc  more  in  evidence  there,  both  in  the  market  and  in 
daily  quotations ;  yet,  one  now  sees  them  in  Washing- 
ton, New  York  and  Boston,  and  dealers  say  they  are 
gradually  gaining  in  favor.  The  staple  breeds  are  the 
Belgian  Hare,  New  Zealand  Red,  and  Flemish  Giant; 
but  at  a  rabbit  show  one  sees  a  bewildering  variety  of 
all  colors  and  sizes — some  of  them  frankly  fancy  stock, 
raised  mostly  for  pleasure — yet  all  perfectly  good  for 
eating  purposes. 

Rabbit  meat  is  served  in  every  way  that  chicken  is 
served — fried,  stewed,  or  stuffed  and  baked  like  a  tur- 
key. The  rabbit  contains  very  little  fat,  and  for  that 
reason  is  one  of  the  most  digestible  of  meats.  In  later 
pages  we  shall  deal  with  the  mechanics  of  the  subject, 
and  see  something  of  the  best  scientific  methods  of  feed- 
ing and  housing,  as  these  have  developed  during  the  past 
few  years  since  the  American  friends  of  the  rabbit  bent 
their  minds  seriously  to  the  subject. 

There  is  no  more  enthusiastic  friend  of  the  rabbit 


136  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

industry  than  E.  W.  Nelson,  Chief  of  the  United  States 
Bureau  of  Biological  Survey.  In  Farmers'  Bulletin 
1090,  issued  by  the  Department  of  Agriculture,  under 
date  of  March,  1920,  Mr.  Nelson  said: 

"The  saving  and  earning  possibilities  of  rabbit-rais- 
ing are  illustrated  by  the  following  concrete  examples  of 
what  has  actually  been  done: 

"One  resident  of  Kansas  City,  Kansas,  has  raised  300 
to  400  pounds  of  rabbit  meat  a  year  for  his  own  table 
at  a  cost  of  only  8  to  10  cents  a  pound.  A  large  re- 
ligious institution  in  Nebraska  that  has  raised  rabbits 
instead  of  poultry  reports  the  meat  more  satisfactory 
than  chicken  and  the  experiment  profitable.  According 
to  a  former  county  commissioner  of  the  State  of  Wash- 
ington, rabbits  were  grown  on  the  county  farm  to  pro- 
vide a  substitute  for  chicken  for  tlie  county  hospitals ; 
the  initial  stock,  numbering  119  rabbits,  increased  to 
1,200  in  10  months,  besides  those  used  in  the  hospitals. 
A  high-school  boy  in  Iowa  who  breeds  registered  stock 
on  a  space  33  feet  square  in  his  back  yard,  raised  and 
sold  enough  rabbits  in  1918  to  clear  more  than  $1,200. 
An  Ohio  farmer  sends  more  tlian  400  pounds  of  rabbit 
meat  a  week  to  city  restaurants,  yet  is  unable  to  meet 
the  demand. 

"These  are  not  isolated  cases ;  they  are  simply  ex- 
amples of  what  has  been  done  in  rabbit  raising,  and  are 
an  indication  of  what  this  industry  is  likely  to  become 
wlicn  it  is  generally  understood." 

However,  I  am  not  now  dealing  with  rabbitcraft  as  a 
source  of  cash  income,  but  only  as  a  natural  and  logical 
moans  of  catering  to  the  meat  supply  of  the  garden 
home.     I  cannot,  however,  refrain  from  mentioning  the 


Th€  Rabbit  in  the  Garden  Economy        137 

experience  of  an  acquaintance  who  found  that  from  the 
increase  of  ten  rabbit  does  occupyinf^  but  a  small  space 
in  his  yard,  he  was  able  to  provide  the  entire  meat 
supply  of  his  family.  This  docs  not  mean  that  they  ate 
rabbit  meat  exclusively,  though  they  ate  it  often,  and 
insisted  that  it  was  their  favorite  meat.  They  had, 
however,  many  more  than  they  could  consume  and  sent 
the  surplus  young  stock  to  market  to  be  sold  for  cash. 
This  cash  was  sufficient  to  buy  all  the  beef,  pork,  mut- 
ton and  fowl  that  they  required — even  the  Thanks- 
giving turkey  and  Christmas  goose.  Thus  the  rabbit 
solved  their  whole  problem  of  the  high  cost  of  living, 
so  far  as  meat  was  concerned. 

I  am  a  strong  believer  in  the  possibilities  of  the  rabbit 
industry  as  a  source  of  cash  profit  to  large  numbers  of 
producers ;  but  know  from  experience  and  observation 
that  there  are  certain  conditions  precedent  to  the  real- 
ization of  this  hope.  To  begin  with,  the  rabbit  must  be 
more  widely  known  and  generally  appreciated,  so  that 
in  this  country,  as  in  Europe,  millions  of  people  will 
look  to  it  as  a  part  of  their  diet,  as  they  now  look  to 
beef  and  chicken.  This  condition  is  coming  a  little 
nearer  year  by  year,  and  when  it  shall  be  fully  developed 
will  create  an  enormous  demand  for  the  toothsome  and 
wholesome  rabbit. 

Another  important  condition  will  be  the  solution  of 
the  problem  of  canning  rabbit  meat  so  that  it  can  be 
shipped  long  distances  and  kept  indefinitely,  like  other 
canned  products.  Some  admirable  experimental  work 
has  been  done  in  this  direction  by  Gordon  Phair,  of 
Los  Angeles,  and  perhaps  by  others.  I  have  often  had 
the  pleasure  of  serving  his  potted  rabbit  to  my  friends 


138  City  Homes  on   Country  Lanes 

at  the  club,  and  listening  to  their  expressions  of  sur- 
prise and  delight.  "It  beats  potted  chicken  out  of 
sight !"  was  the  common  remark.  It  sold  well,  too,  in 
the  finer  stores  of  New  York.  This,  however,  was  only 
experimental — encouraging,  but  not  conclusive.  To 
build  a  great  industry  would  require  a  large  and  regular 
supply  of  raw  material,  ample  manufacturing  facilities, 
and  good  publicity,  with  adequate  financial  backing. 
Such  an  industry  would  be  quite  ideal  in  connection  with 
a  garden  city,  or  a  series  of  garden  cities,  provided 
there  were  large  numbers  of  people  who  cared  to  venture 
beyond  the  supply  of  their  own  tables.  The  rabbit  I 
am  sure  would  do  its  part,  and  do  it  well. 

Another  very  interesting  aspect  of  the  economic  rab- 
bit is  its  value  as  a  source  of  fur  supply.  Few  realize 
how  extensively  it  serves  this  purpose  now.  Perhaps 
some  people  who  are  wearing  various  kinds  of  "Coney" 
and  imitation  "Seal"  are  really  much  better  acquainted 
with  the  rabbit  than  they  realize.  The  common  rabbit 
fur  is  used  in  vast  quantities  in  the  making  of  felt  hats, 
and  the  hide  is  converted  into  glue.  While  Australian 
rabbits  are  a  large  source  of  this  supply,  such  skins 
bring  onlv  two  or  three  cents  apiece,  which  would  not, 
of  course,  be  profitable  for  small  domestic  producers. 

The  h{)])('  of  the  fur  industry  is  in  the  finer  varieties 
produced  by  scientific  selective  breeding.  Some  rabbits 
have  fine  fur,  but  thin  skin;  others  have  thick  skin,  but 
poor  fur;  others  have  both  good  fur  and  thick  skin,  but 
with  the  fur  poorly  set.  The  selective  breeder  aims  to 
produce  a  rabbit  with  a  thick  skin  and  a  good  fur  that 
is  well  set. 

Wonderful  progress  has  been  made  in  this  direction 


The  Rabhit  in  the  Garden  Economy        139 

— especially  in  the  United  States,  tliough  France  and 
Japan  have  developed  certain  kinds  of  fur-bearing  rab- 
bits for  which  there  is  a  large  and  steady  demand  at 
fairly  remunerative  prices. 

In  some  parts  of  the  United  States  rabbit  meat  can 
be  produced  all  the  way  from  six  to  fifteen  cents  per 
pound,  and  sold  at  twenty  to  forty  cents  a  pound  at 
different  seasons.  While  this  does  not  return  much 
profit  to  the  producer,  unless  he  is  operating  on  a  very 
large  scale,  it  does  enable  him  to  make  money  from 
the  sale  of  the  furs,  since  this  is  clear  gain,  if  he  can 
produce  a  fur  which  commands  a  good  price.  There 
is  a  kind  of  long-haired  white  rabbit  producing  fur  that 
the  layman  could  hardly  distinguish  from  the  white  fox 
so  commonly  worn  by  young  women.  There  is  another 
that  closely  approximates  the  expensive  silver  fox.  The 
beautiful  short-haired  Himalaya  rabbit,  when  bred  up 
to  fur-bearing  capacity,  as  has  been  done,  makes  a 
pretty  good  ermine,  and  when  dyed  passes  for  seal, 
though  frankly  called  "near  seal."  I  was  once  asked 
to  indicate  which  of  two  cloaks  was  priced  at  $800,  and 
which  at  $80,  as  they  hung  side  by  side.  I  picked  out 
the  wrong  one.     It  was  rabbit  fur ! 

Some  of  the  finest  samples,  representing  a  dozen 
varieties  of  fur-bearing  rabbits,  obtained  by  selective 
breeding,  were  submitted  to  large  manufacturers  in  New 
York  and  Chicago,  who  made  a  thorough  examination 
of  their  quality  from  every  practical  point  of  view.  The 
verdict  was  that  a  great  market,  at  prices  ranging  from 
fifty  cents  to  three  dollars  per  skin,  awaited  such  prod- 
ucts, provided  that  they  could  be  made  permanently 
available  upon  a  large  scale.     This  is  a  condition  which 


140  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

could  not  be  met — or,  at  least  has  not,  as  yet.  The 
development  is  somewhat  retarded  by  difficulty  in  get- 
ting new  varieties — the  product  of  many  crossings — to 
breed  true.  When  this  has  been  done,  there  is  no  doubt 
that  the  industry  will  grow  to  profitable  proportions. 

Here  we  are  interested,  however,  not  so  much  in  rab- 
bits as  a  potential  industry  of  large  proportions  and  a 
means  of  livelihood  for  great  numbers  of  people,  as  in 
the  place  of  the  rabbit  in  the  economy  of  the  garden 
home.  Even  from  this  narrow  point  of  view  the  fur 
is  by  no  means  negligible.  It  interests  our  home  gar- 
dener in  two  ways.  First,  he  and  his  family  will  utilize 
the  fur  in  making  their  own  garments.  Perhaps  some 
people  will  wear  furs  more  extensively  than  they  have 
formerly  been  able  to  do.  It  is  worth  while  to  quote  the 
following  from  tlie  bulletin  of  the  U.  S.  Biological  Sur- 
vey: 

"The  better  kinds  of  rabbit  skins  are  used  for  making 
fur  garments,  which,  when  made  up,  are  commonly  sold 
as  Coney,  but  often  under  other  trade  names.  White 
skins  are  made  up  in  imitation  of  Arctic  fox,  or  sheared 
in  imitation  of  ermine.  Gray  rabbits  are  dyed  brown 
or  black,  and  become  Baltic  black  fox,  or  Baltic  brown 
fox.  Seal  dyed,  they  become  inland  seal,  electrical  seal, 
or  near  seal." 

The  circular  adds:  "These  garjuents,  while  hand- 
some and  comfortable,  have  little  durability,  and  are, 
therefore,  cheap." 

If  an  article  of  wearing  aj)])!ucl  that  you  can  get  at 
slight  cost  out  of  your  own  rabbitry  is  "handsome  and 
coinfortublc,"  it  doesn't  matter  nuich  if  it  is  not  so 
"durable'"  as  the  article  you  would  buy  at  the  store  at 


TWO    FAVORITE    BREKDS    AM)    THKIK    Hot  SING 
1.   New  Zcal:nul  Hoi.     ».  Ral.liit  hlil<-lu-s  iKcd  in  sriniTiiiiHMi!  w.irk.     '^.  V<ri>y  giant 


The  Rabbit  in  the  Garden  Economy         141 

a  price  ranging  an^^where  from  $100  to  $1,000.  In' 
fact,  it  would  be  interesting  to  have  a  democratic  fur  in 
which  everybody  miglit  be  "handsome  and  comfortable," 
and  which  may  be  frequently  renewed  without  serious 
expense.  This  is  the  first  point  of  interest  to  the  home 
gardener — not  only  that  the  rabbit  increases  and  en- 
riches the  food  supply,  but  also  helps  out  the  wardrobe 
of  his  wife  and  daugliters. 

Another  distinct  development  that  has  occurred,  and 
may  occur  very  often  in  the  future,  is  that  this  pretty 
rabbit  fur  supplies  the  basis  for  a  "cottage  industry," 
in  which  many  women  of  taste  may  engage  in  a  small 
way,  upon  a  scale  proportioned  to  their  enterprise  and 
industry.  Mrs.  J.  M.  Sherman,  of  Los  Angeles,  has 
pursued  this  plan  successfully.  She  has  taken  even  the 
common  varieties  of  rabbits,  some  having  very  beauti- 
ful skins,  and  has  made  them  into  sets  of  furs  that  have 
proved  to  be  in  lively  demand  and  at  good  prices.  She 
has  found  it  to  be  a  most  interesting  and  profitable 
thing  to  do.  There  is  no  reason  why  others  can  not  do 
the  same  thing.  They  will  find  a  market  at  their  door 
for  all  they  can  produce,  if  their  experience  is  like  that 
of  others  who  have  already  adopted  the  plan. 

Thus  we  have  chicken  and  rabbit  meat  for  our  luxuri- 
ous table,  but  that  is  not  all.  We  have  not  yet  called 
the  roll  of  the  small  livestock  that  goes  with  the  horae- 
in-a-garden. 


CHAPTER    XIII 

BROILED   saUAB,  AND  THAT   SORT   OF   THING 

THE  squab,  of  course,  is  frankly  a  luxury,  rather 
than  an  article  of  staple  diet.  Some  people 
never  get  it  at  all,  except,  perhaps,  when  con- 
valescing from  some  serious  illness  and  ordered  by  their 
physician  to  partake  of  the  most  dehcate  of  meats  for 
a  brief  season.  The  comparatively  few  who  do  include 
broiled  squab  in  their  bill-of-fare  do  so  but  rarely,  and 
then  perhaps  with  a  guilty  sense  of  self-indulgence. 
Really,  there  are  but  two  kinds  of  people  who  can 
afford  this  luxury — millionaires,  and  those  who  rejoice 
in  a  home  garden.  Millionaires  can  do  it  because  they 
have  the  price ;  home  gardeners,  because  they  have  the 
squabs. 

As  a  matter  of  fact,  broiled  squab  ought  to  be  as 
common  as  are  canned  vegetables  and  fruit  in  the  aver- 
age household.  It  belongs  to  the  luxurious  tal)le  that 
awaits  millions  of  our  best  families  in  tlie  "Invisible  City 
of  Homes"  surrounding  every  urban  center  in  the  land. 
These  best  families  are  the  essence  of  American  society. 
They  do  the  day's  work  in  every  department;  pay  most 
of  the  taxes ;  bear  the  heat  and  burden  of  the  day  in  war 
uiid  ill  peace.  And  nothing  is  too  good  for  them — not 
even  broiled  squab.  Bless  their  hearts  !— they  are  going 
to  have  it,  and  every  tiling  else  that  goes  with  a  thor- 

142 


Broiled  Squab,  and  That  Sort  of  Thing      143 

oughly  well-provided  life,  socially  and  economically, 
intellectually  and  spiritually. 

I  put  the  emphasis  on  the  squab,  because  it  so  pal- 
pably represents  the  good  things  that  the  few  now 
have  and  that  the  many  ought  to  have,  and  may  readily 
have  when  they  shall  have  learned  to  make  the  most  of 
their  environment. 

Coming  to  the  practical  side,  we  find  that  the  minia- 
ture pigeon-loft,  sufficient  for  the  needs  of  the  average 
liousehold,  goes  admirably  with  the  garden  home.  It 
is  another  of  the  industries  that  is  now  handled  inten- 
sively, as  we  have  seen  in  the  case  of  chickens  and  rab- 
bits. Pigeons  are  easily  cared  for  and  less  liable  to 
disease  than  some  other  kinds  of  fowl,  because  of  their 
good  habit  of  taking  frequent  baths.  It  seems  like  a 
miracle,  but  in  from  four  to  six  weeks  the  fat  little 
squab,  weighing  about  a  pound,  is  ready  for  the  table. 
It  is  perfectly  feasible  to  have  squabs  once  or  twice  a 
week,  instead  of  perhaps  once  or  twice  a  year,  as  is  the 
case  of  most  people  who  have  to  buy  them  in  the  market 
or  restaurant.  They  may  be  cooked,  of  course,  in  sev- 
eral different  ways,  and  are  often  stuffed  and  baked. 
Served  in  this  manner,  with  plenty  of  fresh  vegetables 
and  fruit  from  the  garden,  they  do  very  nicely  as  the 
piece  de  resistance  for  even  ceremonial  dinners,  when 
visitors  arc  entertained,  and  the  family  wishes  to  make 
the  best  impression. 

There  are  many  kinds  of  pigeons,  including  the  well- 
known  Homer.  The  Red  Carneaux  are  perhaps  the 
favorite  in  the  market.  The  i)iggest  member  of  the 
family,  curiously  enough,  is  called  the  "runt."  This 
produces  a  2-pound  squab,  very  fine  for  home  use,  but 


144  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

not  so  profitable  for  selling.  The  most  successful  pigeon 
pen  in  California  contains  fifteen  pair.  This  is  6  ft. 
wide,  6  ft.  high,  5  ft.  deep,  and  is  inclosed  in  a  flying 
pen  8  ft.  long  and  6  ft.  wide.  The  flock  increases,  on 
an  average  at  the  rate  of  12  birds  a  year  for  each  pair 
of  old  birds,  and  the  young  ones  begin  to  breed  in  about 
five  months.  The  old  stock  is  kept  for  breeding,  and 
the  young  birds  consumed  or  sold. 

The  best  pigeon  story  I  know  is  that  of  Clarence  Ray 
King,  of  Hayward,  California.  Since  he  began  pui'ely 
as  a  home  gardener,  raising  a  few  pigeons  in  his  yard, 
while  engaged  at  his  trade  as  an  electrician,  and  after- 
wards became  a  thorough  master  of  the  pigeon  business, 
and  finally  decided  to  give  it  his  whole  attention,  it 
seems  well  worth  while  to  relate  his  experience.  We 
are  now  speaking  of  pigeons  in  terms  of  the  luxurious 
family  table,  and  yet  it  is  possible  tliat  many  a  man 
who  builds  his  first  pen  with  nothing  but  tliat  in  view, 
may  discover  that  he  "buildcd  better  than  lie  knew"  in 
the  way  of  a  livelihood,  as  was  the  case  witii  Mr.  King. 

In  1905,  when  23  years  of  age,  ]Mr.  King  was  em- 
ployed as  an  electrician  in  Los  Angeles.  One  day  he 
was  sent  into  tlie  suburbs  to  repair  a  meter,  and  dis- 
covered a  good-sized  ])igeon-loft  filled  with  Homers. 
As  a  boy,  he  had  had  a  few  of  the  common  })igeons,  and 
tiie  sight  of  this  loft  revived  his  interest  in  the  subject. 
He  decided  to  begin  again,  in  a  small  way,  in  his  father's 
yard.  After  a  while,  he  had  500  birds  in  a  lot  50x150 
ft.,  and  these  were  so  ])r()fii.ible  that  he  decided  to  in- 
crease his  operations,  which  hi'  (hd,  by  getting  the  use 
of  an  adjoining  lot.  When  iiis  lloc-k  increased  to  2,000 
he  found  it  was  paying  him  a  regular  income  of  $150 


Broiled  Squab,  and  That  Sort  of  Thing      145 

per  month.  He  then  decided  that  the  time  had  come  for 
him  to  cease  working  for  tlie  electric  company  and  de- 
vote himself  exclusively  to  the  fortunes  of  Clarence  Ray 
King.  He  also  decided  to  move  the  scene  of  his  opera- 
tions and  interest  some  capital.  His  brother  joined 
him,  making  an  investment  of  $8,000,  and  with  this 
they  established  tliemsclves  at  Hay  ward,  15  miles  from 
San  Francisco,  which  is  a  particularly  good  market 
for  squabs. 

They  purchased  six  acres  of  land  for  $6,500.  Mr. 
King  pursued  his  labors  as  breeder  and  expert,  soon 
winning  a  high  position  in  the  craft,  and  becoming 
president  of  the  California  Pigeon  Clui) ;  his  brother  at- 
tended to  the  marketing.  While  they  own  six  acres, 
most  of  it  is  devoted  to  trees,  and  only  about  one  and 
one-half  acres  to  the  squab  industry.  Their  "pigeon- 
loft" as  it  is  called  in  deference  to  custom,  is  not  a  loft 
at  all,  but  a  low  structure  consisting  of  a  collection  of 
pens  built  after  the  manner  already  described.  It  oc- 
cupies a  trifle  more  than  one  acre,  and  houses  14,000 
birds.  Its  output  averages  600  squabs  every  five  days, 
and  its  net  earnings  are  something  like  $1,000  per 
month,  the  greater  portion  of  which  is  derived  from 
market  squabs,  though  breeding  stock  also  is  sold, 
not  only  to  customers  throughout  the  United  States, 
but  often  to  foreign  countries. 

The  facts  in  regard  to  Mr.  King's  experience  are 
thorouglily  authenticated,  and  might  naturally  inspire 
many  people  to  follow  his  example.  Those  so  inclined 
should  follow  all  of  it,  not  part  of  it.  They  are  again 
reminded  that  Mr.  King  started  in  a  very  small  way,  in- 
tending to  raise  pigeons  for  home  use,  and  as  an  agree- 


146  Cit]^  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

able  hobby.  He  thought  if  it  increased  his  income  it 
would  be  all  right,  but  he  had  no  expectation  of  aban- 
doning his  good  trade  and  salary  as  a  skilled  electrician. 
After  a  few  j^ears  he  became  expert,  and  discovered  that 
there  was  a  good  market  for  squabs  at  popular  prices. 
Steamship  lines  and  railroad  dining-cars  consume  a 
great  many  dozens  daily.  They  are  also  in  demand  for 
formal  banquets — 6,000  of  them  having  been  used  in  one 
single  occasion  in  Los  Angeles  ;  and  first-class  hotels  and 
restaurants  serve  them  regularly.  When  Mr.  King  had 
mastered  all  details  of  the  subject,  he  was  ready  to  drop 
his  hold  upon  the  payroll  and  stake  his  future  upon  an 
independent  business. 

By  the  way,  he  does  not  think  California  the  best 
place  to  raise  pigeons.  He  says  New  York  is  the  great- 
est market  in  the  world ;  and  that  the  Southern  States, 
all  the  way  from  Virginia  to  Florida,  where  the  climate 
is  mild,  and  where  the  markets  of  the  Eastern  seaboard 
may  be  reached  in  a  few  hours'  time,  offer  the  finest 
field. 

But  the  squab  is  not  the  only  unusual  item  that  will 
come  upon  the  luxurious  table  of  the  many  in  the  future. 
There  are  ducks  and  turkeys,  both  readily  susceptible 
of  intensive  cultivation.  It  is  claimed  for  the  duck  that 
it  is  untroubled  by  vermin  and  not  subject  to  illness; 
quickly  reaches  maturity,  and  always  finds  a  ready  mar- 
ket. It  is  easy  to  handle.  Fences  2-i  inches  high  will 
confine  it  safely.  Ducks  are  not  largely  consumed,  ex- 
cept by  certain  elements  of  our  population.  The  reason 
more  people  do  not  eat  them  more  often  is  because 
they  do  not  get  the  chance. 

I  am  sorely  tempted  here  to  tell  tlie  story  of  another 


INTEiVHlVE    CUI/nVATIUN    OK    THE    MAKKET    SQUAB 
A.  Red  Carnoau.v.    B.  Silver  Kings.    C.  White  Kings 


Broiled  Squab,  and  That  Sort  of  Thing      14?7 

supermnn  of  tlic  little  lands,  Mr.  Otto  Reichardt,  who 
raised  white  Pekin  ducks  at  the  rate  of  40,000  to  ten 
acres,  and  whose  facilities  and  operations  were  all  on  a 
magnificent  scale.  Like  Mr.  King  with  his  squabs,  Mr. 
Reichardt's  duck  enterprise  started  as  a  side  issue  on 
a  small  lot,  while  he  was  employed  at  a  trade.  In  17 
years  this  side  issue  developed  into  the  main  issue,  with 
a  plant  costing  $250,000,  doing  an  annual  business  of 
$350,000,  and  with  net  profits  that  enabled  him  to  live 
in  an  aristocratic  suburb,  and  go  the  gait  with  the  best 
of  'em.  It  is  indeed  a  fascinating  life  story,  but  not 
particularly  applicable  to  the  immediate  theme,  except 
as  showing  that  plenty  of  ducks  for  the  enrichment  of 
the  luxurious  table  may  be  kept  successfully  on  a  very 
small  space  by  modern  intensive  methods. 

Probably  most  readers  will  be  surprised  to  be  told 
that  the  lordly  turkey,  notorious  ranger  that  he  is,  is 
also  subject  to  intensive  cultivation,  and  therefore 
eligible  to  a  place  on  that  luxurious  table  that  is  the 
rightful  heritage  of  the  home  gardener.  i\Ir.  and  Mrs. 
W.  W.  Hevencr,  of  San  Ysidro,  California,  raised  a 
goodly  bunch  of  turkeys  A'ear  after  year,  as  one  of  the 
interesting  incidents  of  their  acre  home.  The  little 
turks  were  raised  in  a  coop  10x12  ft.  and,  when  grown, 
made  their  home  in  a  eucalyptus  grove,  where  they  could 
roost  in  the  trees.  At  ;dl  times  they  were  confined 
to  a  small  space,  whifli  did  not,  however,  interfere 
with  their  growth,  as  they  ranged  in  weight  from  8  to 
20  pounds.  Mr.  Hevener  has  turned  off  as  many  as 
thirty  at  the  holiday  season,  and  found  them  very 
profitable  sellers,  as  well  as  exceedingly  good  to  eat. 

Even  the  family'  pig  can  be  raised  in  the  garden-home 


148  City  Hom€s  on  Country  Lanes 

plot  in  a  perfectly  sanitary  way,  and  the  family  thereby 
supplied  with  pork  and  bacon.  This  proposition  has 
been  worked  out  successfully  by  the  United  States  De- 
partment of  Agriculture,  as  we  shall  learn,  when  we  pass 
from  philosophy  to  programme;  from  the  consideration 
of  the  home-in-a-garden  as  a  way  of  life,  to  the  con- 
sideration of  its  mechanical  aspects ;  or,  as  the  reader 
may  perhaps  say,  when  we  descend  from  the  blue  sky 
to  the  solid  earth. 

In  the  meantime,  we  are  not  yet  through  with  our 
luxurious  table.  There  are  two  staples  yet  unaccounted 
for — milk  and  sugar. 


CHAPTER  XIV 

"and  thou  SHALT  HAVE  GOAt's  MILk" 

"Thou  shalt  have  goat's  milk  enough  for  thy  food,  for  the  food 
of  thy  household,  and  for  the  maintenance  of  thy  maidens." 

Proverbs. 

MILK,  butter  and  cheese  are  as  essential  to  the 
economy  of  the  garden  home  as  fruit,  vege- 
tables, eggs  and  meat.  Our  scheme  of  produc- 
tion for  the  family  that  has  set  its  heart  upon  the  larg- 
est measure  of  independence  and  self-sufficiency  would 
be  woefully  incomplete  if  it  could  not  solve  the  problem 
of  supplying  itself  with  those  necessaries.  Of  course, 
there  is  the  good  old  family  cow,  which  will  doubtless  be 
in  evidence  in  the  garden  city  of  the  future;  for  it  is 
possible  to  keep  the  cow  in  an  intensive  way,  and  to 
work  out  a  cooperative  plan  of  pasturing.  Indeed,  the 
man  who  first  aroused  my  interest  in  the  possibilities  of 
little-landing  kept  a  most  adorable  cow  on  his  third  of 
an  acre,  and  that  cow  was  the  largest  source  of  his  cash 
income,  even  though  she  rarely  stepped  outside  of  her 
diminutive  barnyard. 

The  modern  milch  goat  is  the  thing  for  the  garden 
home,  since  five  to  eight  goats  may  be  kept  at  the  cost 
of  keeping  one  cow ;  and  since  two  good  goats  will  main- 
tain the  family  milk  supply  throughout  the  year. 

To  speak  up  for  the  milch  goat  is,  of  course,  to  put 
one's  self  immediately  on  the  defensive.     The  average 

149 


150  City  Homei  on  Covmiry  Lanet 

reader  will  think  of  the  Harlem  goat  and  all  it  implies 
— of  Shantytown,  and  the  diet  of  tin-cans  and  bill- 
boards. Undoubtedly  the  goat  is  popularly  regarded 
as  a  social  outcast — at  least  in  America.  The  best 
thing  that  has  been  said  of  it  in  the  past  is  to  call  it 
"the  Poor  Man's  Cow."  But  in  recent  years  the  English 
nobility  have  taken  to  goats  and  formed  a  society  to 
promote  its  interests,  under  a  motto  revised  to  read 
"the  Wise  Man's  Cow."  The  truth  is  that  the  goat, 
when  understood  and  well-cared  for,  is  one  of  the  most 
interesting  and  useful  of  domestic  animals,  and  has  been 
so  regarded  in  many  countries  from  the  dawn  of  history. 
The  Bible  is  full  of  allusions  to  goats,  their  milk  and 
meat.  And  in  that  and  much  other  ancient  literature 
they  are  always  referred  to  in  terms  of  respect. 

In  this  country  it  has  happened  that  only  the  common 
"Nanny"  has  been  much  in  evidence.  She  has  usually 
been  the  makeshift  of  the  poor,  with  no  influential 
friends  to  proclaim  her  virtues,  though  in  recent  years 
it  has  been  somewhat  different.  The  public  has  begun 
to  discover  that  there  arc  goats  and  goats,  including 
such  aristocratic  individuals  as  the  Swiss  Toggenburg, 
the  Saanen,  and  the  Anglo-Nubian,  with  its  distin- 
guished Roman  nose.  Enthusiastic  breeders  and  pro- 
moters have  sprung  up,  with  their  literature,  their 
periodicals  and  their  societies,  in  consequence  of  which 
the  worthy  milch  goat  is  forging  rapidly  ahead  in  re- 
spectability. In  California,  at  least,  the  goat  has  found 
its  friends  among  the  most  refined  and  cultivated  mem- 
bers of  society.  The  most  prominent  among  these  is 
a  young  lady  belonging  to  a  well-known  family,  who 
resigned   her  position   as   teacher  of  Greek   and  arch- 


i'ul'LLAK    BHEEUS    i)F    .-5\\  1.^-    (.(i.\l- 


The  Tof^j^ciilmrf;  Kids  (upper  picture)  look  more  like  fawn  llum  like  luuunou  goats.     The 
Saanen  does  (bottom)  assure  tlie  milk  supply. 


"And  Thou  Shalt  Have  Goat's  MUk"        151 

apology  in  one  of  tlie  universities  in  order  to  devote  her 
time  and  attention  exclusively  to  goat-raising. 

A  good  goat  gives  daily  from  two  to  four  quarts  of 
milk  of  superior  quality.  It  is  entirely  free  from  the 
germs  of  tuberculosis,  wonderfully  nourishing  and 
wholesome,  and  many  who  can  not  digest  cow's  milk 
have  no  difficulty  whatever  with  goat's  milk.  This  fact 
is  coming  to  be  generally  recognized  by  physicians,  with 
the  result  that  goat's  milk  is  in  great  demand  for  babies 
and  invalids.  It  also  sells  in  the  markets  for  from  two 
to  three  times  the  price  of  cow's  milk.  This  is  doubtless 
partially  due  to  its  scarcity ;  but  also  to  its  superior 
quality  for  certain  purposes.  One  sanitarium  offered  a 
dollar  a  quart  for  a  goodly  supply,  and  from  forty  to 
fifty  cents  a  quart  is  not  an  uncommon  price  for  it  to 
bring  in  large  cities.  The  only  valid  objection  to  goat's 
milk  of  which  I  have  knowledge  is  that  it  spoils  one's 
taste  for  cow's  milk,  which  makes  it  inconvenient  if  one 
is  so  situated  as  to  be  unable  to  get  goat's  milk. 

The  first  virtue  of  the  goat,  from  the  standpoint  of 
the  home-in-a-garden  family,  is  that  it  can  be  stabled 
in  a  very  small  space.  And  the  stable  is  so  cunning— 
almost  like  a  doll's  house!  When  I  visit  Luther  Bur- 
bank,  I  make  a  bee-line  for  his  goat  stable.  He  favors 
the  white  Saancn ;  and  his  goats  stand  on  their  hind 
legs  with  their  fore  feet  on  the  top  rail  of  the  fence  and 
welcome  the  visitor  by  rubbing  their  noses  against  his 
coat-sleeve.  It  should  be  said  that  the  goat  is  a  family 
pet.  People  come  to  love  them  dearly,  and  their  kids — 
usually  twins,  but  sometimes  triplets — are  the  cutest 
little  playfellows  in  the  world.  It  is  an  endless  joy  to 
see  them  frisk  and  cavort  about  their  small  barnyard, 


152  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

or  in  the  pasture.  About  45  per  cent  of  them  are  does, 
which  are  retained  for  milk  purposes.  Thoroughbred 
bucks  are  usually  sold,  and  always  for  high  prices,  but 
the  grades  or  the  common  varieties  are  destined  to  serve 
as  Sunday  roasts.  There  is  no  finer  meat  than  a  kid 
roast — somewhere  between  veal  and  lamb,  and  a  little 
better  than  either. 

Next  to  economy  of  space,  the  goat's  claim  on  the 
home  gardener  is  economy  in  feeding.  Very  careful 
experiments  were  made  at  the  State  University  Farm  in 
California,  and  it  was  found  that,  buying  every  ounce 
of  feed,  the  cost  averaged  only  about  three  cents  a  day. 
One  goat  yielded  an  average  of  three  quarts  of  milk  a 
day  for  310  days;  and  another  over  three  quarts  a 
day  for  the  same  period.  In  the  first  case  the  cost  of 
the  feed  was  about  one  cent  per  quart ;  and  in  the  other 
less  than  a  cent.  This  was  on  the  basis  of  pre-war 
prices  of  feed,  which  were  normal. 

There  is  no  particular  difference  between  the  quality 
of  the  milk  of  the  thoroughbred  and  that  of  the  common 
"Nanny"  when  they  are  equally  well  cared  for.  This 
is  so  true  that  one  of  the  greatest  breeders  and  advo- 
cates of  thoroughl)red  stock  has  written: 

"Despite  my  association  with  the  Toggcnburg  breed, 
my  sentiments  can  be  most  truthfully  summed  up  by 
borrowing  the  words  of  the  j)o])ular  song: 

'Any  little  poat  that's  a  nice  little  goat 
Is  the  right  little   goat   for  me.'" 

There  is,  however,  an  important  advantage  in  the 
thoroughiiri'd  in  the  matter  of  (juantity,  not  only  of  the 
average  daily  yield,  but  also  in  the  period  of  lactation. 


"A7ul  Thou  Shalt  Have  Goat's  MUk''        153 

In  the  thoroughbred  this  period  is  from  nine  to  ten 
months,  against  three  or  four  months  witli  tlie  common 
native  goat.  Hence  it  is  most  desirable  that  the  home 
gardener  sliould  have  a  thoroughbred  goat,  though  not 
necessarily  a  100  per  cent  thoroughbred. 

The  most  serious  difficulty  in  meeting  this  demand  is 
that  blooded  goats  are  scarce  and  dear  in  the  United 
States.  There  are  probably  not  more  than  3,000  pure- 
bred milch  goats  in  this  country  to-day.  Parenthetic- 
ally, it  should  be  said  that  the  Angora  is  not  properly 
classed  as  a  milch  goat,  but  is  kept  for  its  beautiful 
fleece.  Of  the  Swiss  goats  the  Toggenburg  is  the  most 
numerous,  and  the  Saanen  comes  next.  The  Anglo- 
Nubian  is  gaining  ground,  and  its  friends  are  most 
enthusiastic — partly  because  of  the  patrician  Roman 
nose,  but  more  because  of  their  confident  claim  in  regard 
to  the  "odorless"  buck. 

It  should  be  said  that  all  of  the  imported  goats  are 
quite  different  in  appearance  from  the  native  variety. 
Usually  they  are  hornless  and  gifted  with  graceful  lines, 
so  that  they  more  resemble  young  deer  or  fawns  than 
the  common  backyard  goat.  This  is  particularly  true 
of  the  Toggenburg,  because  of  their  fawn  colo^.  The 
Saanens  are  pure  white,  and  the  Anglo-Nubian  black, 
or  reddish  black.  It  is  conceded  that  the  Toggenburg 
gives  the  most  milk,  the  Anglo-Nubian  the  richest,  while 
the  Saanen  represents  the  middle  ground  between  the 
two  in  both  qualities.  Doubtless  everybody  knows  that 
the  finest  cheese  in  the  world  is  made  of  goat's  milk,  and 
appreciates  the  fact  that  home-made  cheese  is  a  de- 
lightful and  nutritious  feature  of  the  household  diet. 

The  price  of  pure-bred  goats,  ranging  from  $75  to 


154  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

$200,  is  prohibitive  for  many,  even  if  the  goats  are 
available  in  sufficient  numbers  to  meet  the  very  great  de- 
mand that  may  be  anticipated  in  the  next  few  years. 
In  this  dilemma  the  question  is,  What  can  be  done  to 
safeguard  the  self-sufficient  garden  home  in  the  matter 
of  milk,  butter  and  cheese?  This  is  a  question  to  which 
Miss  Irmagarde  Richards,  one  of  the  most  successful 
breeders  of  Toggenburg  goats,  and  a  high  authority 
on  the  subject,  has  given  much  thought  and  study.  She 
says:  "Don't  buy  a  goat,  but  'make'  one."  And  con- 
tinues : 

"Go  out  into  the  highways  and  byways  and  you  will 
find,  wherever  there  is  a  district  settled  by  foreigners, 
a  fair  sprinkling  of  goats  staked  on  small  spaces  of 
green,  open  ground.  Find  a  fresh  goat  that  you  like 
and  buy  her.  She  will  probably  have  horns.  She  may, 
or  may  not,  be  a  good  milker;  but,  at  any  rate,  use  your 
best  judgment.  If  possible,  get  a  doc  with  a  buck  kid, 
and  include  the  kid  in  the  purchase.  If  you  have  to 
learn  to  milk,  and  are  not  much  of  a  success  at  first, 
the  kid  will  finish  the  job  for  you  and  so  prevent  your 
ignorance  from  spoiling  the  doc.  At  any  rate,  the  doe 
would  the  more  quickly  adjust  herself  to  the  new  home, 
if  her  kid  is  with  her.  As  soon  as  the  new  duties  and 
relationships  are  established,  the  kid  can  fulfill  his 
destiny  as  a  Sunday  roast." 

The  next  point  in  her  advice  is  particularly  prac- 
ticable for  the  people  of  a  garden  city  where  large 
numbers  are  thinking  of  a  little  goat  dairy.  She  urges 
that  50  to  100  families  who  have  bought  these  common 
does  shall  coinI)ine  in  the  purchase  of  a  high-priced, 
thoroughbred  buck,  and  proceed  to  produce  half-breeds, 


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*'And  Thou  Shalt  Have  Goat's  MUk''        155 

of  which  about  one-half  will  probably  be  does.  These 
half-breed  docs  should  be  bred  to  the  thoroughbred 
buck,  and  the  next  generation  will  be  three-fourths  pure, 
which  Miss  Richards  assures  us  is  pure  enough  for  all 
practical  purposes.  In  fact,  she  says  that  very  often 
it  will  be  hardly  possible  to  distinguish  between  the 
three-fourths  grade  in  appearance  or  other  qualities. 

In  this  way  an  entire  community  could  be  supplied 
with  splendid  milch  goats,  and  thus  solve  one  of  the 
most  important  problems  of  the  garden  home.  The 
drawback  about  this  plan  is  that  it  would  require  about 
three  years  to  bring  it  to  fruition,  and  during  that 
period  most  people  would  have  to  depend  on  the  milk- 
man. Of  this  aspect  of  the  matter.  Miss  Richards 
says: 

"A  long  time  to  wait  for  results,  do  you  think?  Not 
so  long  as  you  wait  for  your  orchard  to  come  into 
profitable  bearing,  and  you  have  some  by-products  as 
you  go — enough  milk  to  balance  the  books,  at  least ; 
a  lot  of  fertilizer  of  exceptional  value;  several  roasts 
of  the  most  delicious  meat ;  a  soft  fur  rug  or  two ;  and, 
finally,  the  sale  of  the  scrub  doe  herself,  when  her  grade 
daughter  is  ready  to  take  her  place — not  to  speak  of 
the  fun !" 

Apparently  there  is  no  other  way  to  meet  the  de- 
mand, except,  perhaps,  by  importation,  and  that  has 
been  hampered  by  law  in  recent  years ;  besides,  that 
would  involve  an  expense  be3'ond  the  reach  of  the  many 
who  will  be  engaged  in  building  and  stocking  their  gar- 
den homes.  After  all,  three  years  is  not  long  to  wait 
for  a  dependable  and  permanent  supply  of  milk  at  a 
cost  of  one  to  two  cents  per  quart;  and  milk,  too,  so 


156  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

superior  to  the  ordinary  kind  that  it  sells  for  two  or 
three  times  as  much  as  cow's  milk  in  the  market. 

In  summing  up  the  advantages  of  goat  culture,  Miss 
Richards  states  one  point  that  will  sink  deep  into  many 
hearts,  when  she  says : 

"Still  more  may  one  offer  as  a  by-product  of  this 
venture  that  wonderful  experience  (what  goat-keeper 
has  not  had  an  opportunity  to  share  in  it?)  of  watch- 
ing some  little  despaircd-of  baby,  whose  tiny,  claw-like 
hand  has  almost  relaxed  its  hold  on  life,  come  back 
from  the  valley  of  the  shadow ;  of  seeing  it  return  to 
eat  and  sleep  normally,  to  grow  round  and  rosy,  and 
to  step  out  into  childhood  a  joyous,  husky  youngster. 
To  those  of  us  who  have  stood  by  and  watched  that 
miracle  there  are  no  words  tender  and  reverent  enough 
to  express  our  feeling  for  the  Little  Friend  of  All  the 
World." 


CHAPTER  XV 

THE  HONEYBEE   AND   THE  SUGAR-BOWL 

"Eat   thou   honey    because    it    is    good." 

Solomon, 

OF  all  the  intensive  folk,  bom  for  the  comfort 
of  the  garden  home,  surely  the  honeybee  ranks 
first.  While  associated  in  most  minds  with  the 
home  in  the  country,  it  is  by  no  means  of  purely  rural 
inclinations.  It  can  flourish  in  the  suburbs ;  not  only 
that,  but  in  a  limited  way  it  has  begun  to  follow  the 
crowd  to  the  congested  urban  centers.  San  Francisco, 
piled  up  on  the  tip  of  a  sandy  peninsula,  harbors  hun- 
dreds of  colonies  of  bees,  most  of  them  in  backyards, 
but  some  of  them  on  fire-escapes  of  apartment  houses, 
and  some  on  roofs  of  skyscrapers.  The  same  is  true 
of  New  York  and  other  cities.  Sometimes  hives  are 
installed  in  offices,  the  waiting-rooms  of  physicians, 
particularly;  and  dentists  say  that  they  sooth  the 
irritated  nerves  of  their  patients — partly  by  their  mur- 
murous humming,  and  partly  because  the  interesting 
insects  induce  forgetfulness  of  self.  There  are  beau- 
tiful city  homes  where  bees  are  kept  in  the  rooms  in 
glass  hives,  with  an  aperture  at  the  rear  permitting 
ingress  and  egress.  The  bees  are  no  more  trouble  than 
goldfish,  and  require  less  care  than  a  canary. 

At  first  thought,  one  would  imagine  that  bees  could 

157 


158  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

find  no  pasture  in  a  crowded  city.  Many  mistakenly 
think  the  city  bee  subsists  on  garbage  barrels  or  other 
unsanitary  sources  of  supply.  The  truth  is  that  they 
find  flowers  and  other  clean  things  to  feed  upon ;  and 
it  is  a  well-known  fact,  of  course,  that  they  often 
travel  a  long  distance  for  their  food.  These  are  ex- 
treme instances  of  the  intensive  cultivation  of  the  honey- 
bee, which  only  emphasize  its  practical  utility  in  the 
economy  of  the  garden  home. 

Sugar,  of  course,  as  much  as  milk,  and  far  more 
than  meat,  is  an  essential  in  every  household.  The 
fluctuating,  and  often  soaring,  price  of  sugar  is  one 
of  the  acute  points  in  high  cost  of  living.  The  home 
in  the  garden  should  be  as  free  from  the  exactions  of 
the  sugar  trust  as  possible.  And  if  honey  does  not 
satisfy  every  palate,  or  meet  every  houscliold  need, 
it  can  be  made  to  go  a  very  long  way  in  that  direction. 
It  is  most  unusual  to  hear  any  one  complain  of  getting 
too  much  honey ;  and  quite  common  to  hear  people 
say  that  they  have  never  had  enough.  There  is  no 
reason  in  the  world  wliy  the  liome  gardener  should  not 
be  as  independent  in  this  respect  as  in  the  matter  of 
meat,  eggs,  vegetables  and  fruit. 

As  in  tlie  case  of  poultry,  eggs  and  rabbits,  the  bee 
industry  has  its  organizations,  local  and  national,  its 
periodicals  and  literature.  It  even  has  its  poets  and 
romanticists,  as  every  one  knows  wlio  has  read  Maurice 
Maeterlinck's  cliarming  book,  "The  Life  of  tlie  lice." 
Like  all  other  departments  in  our  new  art  of  little- 
landing,  the  lioneyl)ee  has  evolved  its  specialists  and 
eiitliusiasts,  who  find  their  highest  satisfaction  in  this 
line  of  work  and  enjoy  wide  reputation  as  authorities. 


The  Honeybee  and  the  Sugar-Boxd  159 

Bee-keeping  is  an  important  industry,  and  the  prin- 
cipal source  of  livelihood  for  thousands  of  people. 
During  the  past  few  years  it  has  been  extremely  profit- 
able on  account  of  the  unusual  demand  for  sweets, 
and  of  the  high  ^jrice  of  sugar.  Bee-keeping,  as  a  pro- 
fession is  not,  however,  for  our  home  gardener,  who 
wants  honey  only  for  the  enrichment  of  his  table ;  wants 
it  whether  times  are  good  or  bad ;  and  wants  it  fresh 
from  his  own  little  apiary.  Things  that  are  good 
even  when  bought  from  the  corner  store  are  somehow 
infinitely  better  when  produced  at  home. 

The  cost  of  establishing  a  small  garden  apiary,  in- 
cluding the  purchase  of  bees,  and  equipment  and  sup- 
])lies,  is  usually  about  $50.  A  good  hive  should  supply 
from  fifty  to  two  hundred  combs  a  year,  and  readily 
pay  for  itself  the  first  year.  The  cost  of  filling  the 
family  "sugar-bowl"  in  this  way  is  about  two  cents 
per  pound — counting  nothing,  of  course,  for  one's  own 
time  and  labor,  which  is  merely  incidental  to  the  con- 
duct of  the  home  garden.  The  market  price  fluctuates, 
but  is  rarely  lower  than  20  cents  a  pound ;  and  usually 
higher  when  the  product  is  put  up  in  attractive  car- 
tons. From  twenty-five  to  fifty  hives  may  be  kept  in 
a  good-sized  garden  lot.  A  small  family  with  such  an 
apiary  would  doubtless  have  surplus  product  to  sell 
to  the  neighl)ors.  There  are  many  instances  where 
a  cash  income  of  from  $400  to  $500  is  realized  in  this 
way;  and  in  any  garden  city  there  are  certain  to  be 
a  number  of  enthusiasts  loving  bee  culture  and  spe- 
cializing in  it,  with  a  view  of  increasing  their  income. 
Such  people  will  generally  have  tlieir  private  customers 
in  town  and  so  obtain  the  full  retail  price. 


160  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

In  San  Francisco  some  years  ago  there  was  a  Boys' 
Bee  Club,  organized  and  directed  by  Ralph  R.  Bent,  an 
enthusiastic  young  bee  man,  who  attracted  a  following 
of  all  sorts  and  conditions,  ranging  from  8  to  25  years 
of  age.  They  had  their  apiary  at  Sausalito,  across 
the  bay  from  San  Francisco,  where  they  all  had  a 
chance  to  take  practical  lessons  in  bee  culture.  Many 
of  them  turned  out  to  be  shrewd  salesmen ;  among  them 
a  number  of  newsboys  who  made  more  money  selling 
honey  than  they  did  selling  papers.  They  canvassed 
the  city  for  customers  and  found  them  readily  on  every 
hand. 

It  would  be  practicable  to  have  such  clubs  elsewhere, 
especially  among  the  young  people  of  the  garden-city 
homes,  who  would  thus  find  profitable  occupation  for 
their  spare  time,  and  incidentally  get  some  good  lessons 
in  salesmanship.  In  this  way  the  surplus  product  from 
a  number  of  small  garden-home  apiaries  could  be  dis- 
tributed without  dealing  with  middlemen. 

A  densely-peopled  garden  city  is  not,  however,  the 
place  for  apiaries  aiming  at  commercial  production ; 
at  least,  beyond  such  a  small  surplus  as  may  be  inci- 
dental to  home  production.  For  one  thing,  it  is  quite 
possible  to  have  more  bees  than  can  subsist  in  a  given 
neighborhood;  for  another  thing,  it  is  possible  to  have 
bees  so  numerous  and  active  as  to  make  it  uncomfort- 
able for  the  human  inhabitants.  Commercial  apiaries 
should  be  located  in  a  more  open  country,  and  in  lo- 
calities particularly  favorable  to  bee  food,  both  in  the 
matter  of  cultivated  plants  and  trees  and  of  wild 
growth.  In  the  West,  sage,  manzanita  and  eucalyptus 
are  very  productive,  as  arc  also  the  wide  fields  of  al- 


The  Honeybee  and  the  Sugar-Bowl  161 

falfa.  In  the  East  basswood  is  important,  while  buck- 
wheat and  white  clover  are  especially  appreciated.  One 
authority  warns  us  that,  where  possible,  bees  should 
be  located  in  low  lands,  so  that  in  their  search  for 
sweets  they  may  be  empty  when  flying  upward  and 
have  the  benefit  of  the  down-grade  when  they  come  home 
heavily  laden. 

Frankly,  it  must  be  said  that  there  are  many  people 
who  do  not  like  bees — who  feel  about  them  very  much 
as  most  people  feel  about  mice — and  live  in  constant 
fear  of  being  stung  when  they  are  about.  This,  in 
spite  of  the  fact  that  the  true  bee  lover  permits  his 
adored  insects  to  crawl  all  over  him ;  putting  them  in 
his  hat,  and  sometimes  even  in  his  mouth.  Such  persons 
insist  that  when  folks  are  stung  it  is  their  own  fault 
rather  than  that  of  the  bees ;  that  if  they  had  the 
})roper  amount  of  confidence,  and  the  very  best  man- 
ners, they  would  have  no  trouble  of  that  sort.  One 
of  them  naively  adds :  "If  the  matter  came  into  court, 
they  could  never  prove  whose  bee  it  was,  anyway." 

The  Bureau  of  Entomology,  Department  of  Agricul- 
ture, at  Washington,  D.  C,  supplies  full  information 
on  bee  culture  to  all.  Just  here  it  is  desired  to  em- 
phasize the  fact  that  honey  is  exceedingly  good  to 
eat  and  can  be  largely  made  to  take  the  place  of  sugar 
in  the  average  household.  The  honeybee  goes  logically 
with  the  home-in-a-garden,  and  contributes  much  to 
its  luxurious  table.  It  adds  to  the  variety  of  interesting 
occupations  enjoyed  by  the  household  tiiat  is  seeking 
contentment  and  happiness  under  its  own  roof,  within 
the  snug  security  of  its  own  garden  walls. 


CHAPTER  XVI 


THE   ELUSIVE    MUSHROOM 


THE  mushroom  belongs  undeniably  to  the  lux- 
urious table,  and  is  mentioned  here  for  the  sake 
of  making  that  table  complete;  though  it  must 
be  frankly  said  that  of  all  the  possible  products  of 
the  garden  home,  the  mushroom  is  the  most  elusive,  and 
the  least  essential.  It  can  be  raised,  but  probably  will 
not  be  to  any  great  extent ;  though  every  garden  city 
is  likely  to  contain  a  few  enthusiasts  who  will  gayly 
squander  time  and  money  in  its  culture.  Some  of  them 
will  succeed,  and  now  and  then  there  will  be  a  man 
who  will  realize  a  fabulous  income  from  his  mushroom 
bed  considering  the  very  small  space  it  occupies. 

It  has  been  my  good  fortune  to  know  some  of  the 
most  successful  growers  in  the  United  States,  nearly 
all  of  them  of  French  origin — one  of  them  the  third 
generation  of  famous  Parisian  growers  of  this  delicacy. 
All  of  these  men  pretend  to  think  it  the  simplest  thing 
in  the  world  to  bring  forth  prolific  crops  in  their  caves 
and  cellars.  Often  they  have  instructed  others  in  the 
art,  but  I  have  never  been  able  to  learn  that  they  cre- 
ated many  competitors  in  consequence. 

I  heard  of  one  man  who  diligently  read  all  the  books, 
took  all  the  instruction  he  could  obtain,  ecjuipped  the 
finest  sort  of  a  plant,  proceeded  according  to  all  known 

1G2 


The  Elusive  Mushroom  163 

rules — and  did  not  sprout  a  mushroom !  Finally,  he 
pitched  the  rich  but  recalcitrant  soil  out  of  his  cellar 
and  into  his  barnyard,  to  the  accompaniment  of  re- 
marks unfit  for  publication.  AVhat  was  his  surprise 
to  go  out  a  few  days  later  and  behold  his  barnyard 
white  with  mushrooms !  "Verily,"  he  said,  "the  art  of 
growing  mushrooms  passeth  all  understanding." 

I  recall  a  golden  day  in  the  San  Francisco  Bay  region 
when,  with  an  inquisitive  friend,  I  toured  a  district 
where  the  mushroom  is  the  object  of  quite  general 
attention.  We  found  instances  of  varying  success. 
Just  at  the  close  of  the  day  we  came  to  a  beautiful 
home,  occupying  a  half-acre  of  ground,  with  three 
mushroom  cellars  at  the  rear  of  the  lot.  It  was  an 
inspiring  sight  tliat  awaited  us.  The  mushrooms  fairly 
bubbled  from  the  smooth,  rounded  beds,  which  covered 
the  floors  of  the  cellars,  and  the  proud  proprietor  was 
in  the  act  of  making  his  second  picking  of  the  day.  He 
admitted  that  lie  was  in  the  enjoyment  of  a  handsome 
income,  and  that  he  had  found  one  of  the  most  delight- 
ful occupations  in  the  world. 

It  looked  very  simple  and  easy.  Apparently  there 
was  nothing  about  the  construction  of  the  houses  that 
might  not  be  readily  duplicated.  There  were  three 
of  these  houses,  each  24x60  feet,  and  costing  $600 
each.  The  side  walls  were  of  concrete,  and  there  were 
two  roofs,  the  under  one  of  board,  and  the  top  of  lath 
allowing  for  the  passage  of  air  between.  When  we 
congratulated  him  on  having  found  the  primrose  path 
to  prosperity,  he  smiled  grimly  and  said :  "Yes,  but  for 
six  long,  weary  years  I  was  a  failure  in  this  business. 
I  used  all  the  money  I  had   and  all  I   could  borrow, 


164  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

and  if  I  hadn't  come  through  at  last  I  should  have 
been  ruined.  It  looks  easy  now — and  it  is — but  I  sup- 
pose there  are  not  many  who  would  have  succeeded  at 
the  cost  of  the  struggle  I  have  been  through." 

After  explaining  all  the  details  of  the  business,  he 
took  us  to  a  shed  that  served  as  his  laboratory,  where 
he  had  bottles  filled  with  mushroom  cultures.  He  then 
opened  a  cupboard  and  displayed  a  most  interesting 
array  of  little  bricks.  "I  will  tell  you  gentlemen  where 
the  secret  lies.  It  is  all  in  the  spawn,'*  he  said.  This 
coincided  Avith  what  we  had  heard  from  those  who  had 
used  various  kinds  of  spawn,  some  of  it  widely  adver- 
tised as  a  sure  thing,  and  much  of  it  disappointing  in 
results.  Our  host  informed  us  that  he  made  his  own 
spawn,  and  when  we  examined  it  we  could  see  a  striking 
difference  between  this  and  the  kind  usuall}'  on  sale. 
It  was  fairly  alive.  It  required  but  the  slightest  imagi- 
nation to  feel  the  pulse-beat  of  life  in  these  little  bricks 
of  smoky  blue. 

We  asked  how  he  did  it,  and  he  smiled,  but  shook 
his  head.  "That  is  my  secret,"  he  said.  "It  has  taken 
me  a  long  time  to  perfect  my  methods.  Out  of  the 
first  lot  of  228  bricks  I  made,  only  two  were  good. 
Now,  I  get  nearly  100  per  cent  of  live  bricks."  When 
we  inquired  if  he  would  sell  them,  he  returned  an  em- 
phatic negative,  saying  he  could  make  more  money  by 
raising  the  mushrooms. 

Leon  Rouge,  of  I-os  Angeles,  is  one  of  the  famous 
growers  of  Southern  Cahfornia.  He  was  educated  in 
the  mushroom  cellars  of  Paris  and  is  one  of  the  men 
who  disj)elh<l  the  superstition  that  mushrooms  can  not 
be   made   to   liourish  in   the   dry   atmosphere  of   Cali- 


The  Elusive  Mushroom  165 

fornia.  For  several  years  he  conducted  the  work  in 
the  cellar  of  his  home,  supplying  the  best  hotels  and 
clubs  of  Los  Angeles  at  a  uniform  rate  of  $1  a  pound. 
As  the  locality  became  more  thickly  settled  there  were 
some  objections  on  tlie  part  of  the  neighbors  to  the 
existence  of  a  flourishing  mushroom  plant  in  the  midst 
of  their  homes.  Altliough  Mr.  Rouge  had  incurred 
considerable  expense  in  the  preparation  of  his  plant 
(one  of  the  most  perfect  exhibits  of  its  kind  I  have 
ever  seen),  he  cheerfully  changed  the  location  of  his 
industry.  Where  do  you  suppose  he  went.?  To  a  long 
tunnel — a  deserted  city  water  main  in  Elysian  Park. 
Here  he  began  his  work  anew,  and  at  first  in  an  experi- 
mental way.  It  turned  out  to  be  successful.  He  ob- 
tained a  big  crop  of  mushrooms  which  sold  readily  at 
high  prices. 

There  are  many  other  interesting  experiences  that 
might  be  quoted,  but  they  all  come  to  the  same  thing. 
Mushroom  culture  is  a  highly  technical  undertaking. 
It  requires  not  only  skill  and  experience  but  much  pa- 
tience and  some  little  capital.  A  good  mushroom  cave 
of  commercial  proportions  costs  anywhere  from  $500 
to  $2,000.  A  successful  grower  is  handsomely  re- 
warded, for  there  is  an  eager,  unsatisfied  market  for 
mushrooms  almost  everywhere,  and  the  cultivated  va- 
rieties usually  sell  at  a  high  price.  It  is  possible  to 
raise  them  in  a  small  way  for  home  consumption  with- 
out much  expense,  and  we  shall  see  something  of 
methods  advised  by  scientific  growers,  when  we  come 
to  deal  with  the  mechanics  of  the  garden  home ;  but  the 
probability  is  that  most  of  our  home  gardeners  will 
depend  on  the  wild  crop  that  is  abundant  in  many  parts 


166  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

of  the  country — (it  is  to  be  hoped  they  will  be  able 
to  distinguish  the  true  from  the  false),  patronize  some 
of  the  successful  growers  likely  to  be  found  in  each 
garden  city,  or  get  along  without  this  luxury,  which 
may  be  classified  among  the  non-essentials. 

When  I  mentioned  the  subject  to  Luther  Burbank, 
he  threw  up  his  hands  and  remarked:  "Please  don't 
mention  mushrooms  to  me !  In  my  younger  days  I  was 
very  fond  of  them,  and  ate  so  many  that  I  entirely 
lost  my  taste  for  them.  I  will  say,  however,  that  of 
all  the  things  in  the  vegetable  kingdom  the  mushroom 
is  the  most  finicky.  I  never  thought  it  of  sufficient 
importance  in  an  economic  way  to  justify  me  in  wast- 
ing any  time  on  it." 

Nevertheless,  mushrooms  are  good  when  properly 
cooked,  and  certainly  add  to  the  luxury  of  the  family 
table.  As  has  already  been  said,  they  can  be  raised; 
but  there  is  no  apparent  prospect  of  overproduction. 


CHAPTER  XVII 

THE    LUXURIOUS    TABLE    IN   REVIEW 

HERE,  then,  are  the  materials  of  the  luxurious 
table  that  is  to  be  brought  within  the  reach 
of  the  homc-in-a-gartlcn  folk,  and  to  be  gen- 
erously spread  for  them  and  theirs  througliout  all  the 
days    of   the    future,   whether   prices    be    high   or   low, 
whether  times  be  good  or  bad — in  sunshine  and  in  storm  ! 

A  comfortable  sufficiency  of  all  the  vegetables  that 
grow  in  the  Temperate  Zone — an  infinite  variety. 
Enough  of  these  not  only  for  consumption  during  the 
growing  season,  but  for  canning  to  supply  the  winter 
needs  of  the  household. 

A  comfortable  sufficiency  of  all  the  berries  and  small 
fruits  that  grow  in  the  Temperate  Zone — the  products 
of  garden  bed  and  shrub  and  vine ;  and  enough  for  jams, 
jellies  and  preserves  throughout  the  year. 

A  comfortable  sufficiency  of  all  the  tree  fruits  that 
grow  in  the  Temperate  Zone,  with  a  surplus  for  pre- 
serves. 

A  comfortable  sufficiency  of  eggs  fresh  from  the  nest. 
I  repeat  it — fresh! 

A  comfortable  sufficiency  of  the  very  nicest  milk ; 
with  delicious  home-made  butter,  and  a  variety  of  de- 
lectable cheeses. 

A  comfortable  sufficiency  of  chicken — age  authen- 
ticated (not  cold-storage). 

167 


168  City  Homes  on   Country  Lanes 

A  comfortable  sufficiency  of  young,  fat  squabs  and 
other  fowl — ducks,  geese,  turkeys  assuredly — even 
pheasants,  if  you've  a  taste  for  one  of  the  more  delicate 
tasks  of  poultry  raising.  The  guinea  hen  is  a  triumph 
on  the  table,  but  something  of  a  bolshevist  in  the  garden 
— (her  shrill,  monotonous  piping). 

A  comfortable  sufficiency  of  rabbit  meat,  in  all  re- 
spects equal — in  some  respects  superior — to  chicken, 
with  a  by-product  of  fur  which,  if  it  does  not  belong 
to  the  luxurious  table,  is  an  added  luxury  for  the  family. 
In  addition  to  all  this  the  occasional  kid  roast ;  even 
pork,  if  you  have  a  pig,  the  sanitary  pen,  and — the 
gumption ! 

All  these  elements  of  a  generous  living  are  within 
the  reach  of  the  home-in-a-garden  folk — not  only  within 
their  reach,  but  subject  to  their  secure  control,  regard- 
less of  railroad  rates,  middlemen's  charges,  strikes, 
lockouts,  and  fluctuations  in  the  purchasing  power  of 
the  dollar.  They  are  available,  too,  at  cost,  which 
means,  as  we  have  seen,  a  cent  a  quart  for  a  superior 
quality  of  milk;  two  cents  a  pound  for  the  kind  of 
sugar  that  comes  direct  from  the  flowers ;  vegetables 
and  fruit  at  the  cost  of  seeds,  nursery  stock  and  fer- 
tilizer; meat  at  the  cost  of  such  feed  as  must  be  pur- 
chased (at  wholesale  in  the  case  of  an  organized  com- 
munity) to  supplement  the  green  stuff  from  the  garden. 
All  this  because  the  garden  people  have  resumed  their 
heritage  in  tlie  soil,  the  sunshine  and  the  rain — God's 
beneficent  j)rovision  for  the  ])hysical  sustenance  of  His 
children  on  this  good  earth.  I  reckon  neither  the  land 
nor  the  lal)or  into  the  cost.  Tlie  land  is  part  of  the 
garden  home,  costing  no  more,  and  possibly  less  than 
that  paid  for  a  "canned"  home  in  city  apartments — 


The  Luxurious   Table  in  Review  169 

that  sort  of  a  home  that  appropriately  accompanies 
a  diet  of  canned  vegetables,  fruit,  milk  and  meat.  The 
labor  is  the  loving,  enthusiastic  and  interesting  labor 
of  the  whole  family  in  spare  hours,  with  its  grateful 
expression  of  individual  initiative,  and  its  valuable  les- 
sons in  efficiency  and  self-reliance.  These  things  rep- 
resent long  steps  toward  genuine  freedom. 

Stress  is  laid  on  a  "comfortable  sufficiency."  It  is 
of  the  essence  of  the  new  way  of  life.  I  am  not  talk- 
ing of  your  old-fashioned  farm,  any  more  than  I  am 
talking  of  your  cell  in  the  apartment  house.  I  am 
talking  of  the  home-in-a-garden  brought  to  its  best 
efficiency  and  highest  refinement.  I  am  talking  of  a 
new  type  of  man,  a  new  element  of  our  citizenship. 
We  need  a  new  term  to  describe  him — this  "country- 
minded"  man  loving  the  city  and  attached  to  its  pay- 
roll, yet  yearning  for  the  rural  savor  in  his  daily  life, 
and  the  opportunity  of  individual  expression  in  health- 
ful labor  as  much  as  "David  Grayson" ;  as  much  as  the 
New  York  business  man  we  read  of  in  earlier  pages. 
What  shall  we  call  him.'' 

The  Homelander! 

The  man  with  a  little  home  of  his  own  on  tiie  land, 
where  he  may  work  lovingly  for  himself  without  a  wage, 
yet  for  a  higher  compensation  than  he  gets  in  town; 
and  where,  in  the  course  of  tlie  patient  years,  lie  may 
rear  a  holy  temple  for  his  wife  and  babies,  from  which 
no  landlord  may  turn  him  out. 

That  is  the  Ilomelandor ! 

Every  feature  of  his  life  has  been  demonstrated,  and 
is  now  in  successful  operation.  True,  not  all  of  it 
has  been  demonstrated  in  one  garden  city  exclusively 
dedicated  to  the  cause;  still  less  in  a  thousand  garden 


170  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

cities  throughout  the  land,  with  millions  of  garden 
homes.  That  is  something  that  waits  upon  the  future. 
But  every  separate  wheel  and  cog  that  is  to  enter  into 
the  complete  mechanism  of  the  garden  city  has  been 
tested  and  found  to  be  good.  And  there  are  com- 
munities now  in  a  state  of  thriving  existence  where  the 
whole  plan  is  approximated. 

I  am  thinking  of  it  now  as  a  great  department  of 
our  national  life,  under  national  leadership,  as  we  shall 
presently  see  on  reaching  the  constructive  programme. 
I  do  not  conceive  it,  except  incidentally,  in  terms  of 
our  vexed  "housing  problem."  Housing!  A  cold,  re- 
pellent word.  No,  no !  Not  "housing,"  but  making 
our  earth  to  blossom  with  homes  of  men !  And  a  home 
is  much  more  than  a  house. 

There  will,  of  course,  be  unbelievers.  There  have 
been  in  every  age.  They  oppose  each  step  of  human 
progress.  They  were  born  with  the  word  "impossible" 
on  their  lips.  And  their  forgotten  dust  paves  the  high- 
ways of  history  whereon  the  race  has  marched  to  better 
things. 

They  will  call  it  a  "dream" — this  hope  of  a  better, 
fuller,  freer  life  for  the  mass  of  our  country-minded. 
We  answer:  "But  dreams  come  true!"  They  will  char- 
acterize it  by  the  moss-covered  term — "Visionary !" 
We  quote  the  Good  Book:  "Where  there  is  no  vision, 
the  people  perish."  They  are  perishing  now — of  apart- 
ment houses,  high  cost  of  living,  monotonous  industrial 
ruts,  stifled  individualism,  an  overdose  of  the  movies. 
They  arc  lost  in  the  jungle  of  our  complex  modern  life. 

The  Home-In- A-Garden  is  the  WAY  OUT. 


CHAPTER  XVIII 

SOCIAL  LIFE  OF  THE  GARDEN  CITY 

"A  small  house, 
A  large  garden, 
A    few    dear    friends, 
And  many  books." 

THE  ideal  condition  for  an  interesting  and  whole- 
some society,  it  seems  to  me,  is  a  community 
where  there  are  enough  neighbors,  but  not  too 
many ;  where  neighbors  are  near  enough,  but  not  too 
near;  where  an  approximate  equality  of  fortune  exists, 
so  that  there  are  no  wide  gulfs  to  be  bridged ;  where 
the  people,  though  diversified  in  race,  religion  and  com- 
mercial pursuits,  are,  nevertheless,  united  by  a  common 
interest  and  enthusiasm,  lending  a  certain  fervor  to 
their  lives.  If  these  are  sound  principles,  then  the 
garden  city  offers  ideal  soil  for  their  planting  and  culti- 
vation, and  invites  us  to  the  consideration  of  forms  of 
social  life  which  hold  out  the  most  charming  possi- 
bilities. 

As  to  this,  there  is  really  no  question,  for  if  any 
side  of  the  garden-city  experience  has  been  thorouglJy 
tried  out  and  demonstrated  it  is  the  social  side.  It 
offers  a  striking  contrast  to  lonely  country  life  on  the 
one  hand,  and  crowded  city  life  on  the  other,  striking 
a  happy  medium  in  which  the  advantages  of  both  are 
nicely  blended  and  their  drawbacks  largely  avoided. 

171 


172  Citi/  Homes  on  Coimtry  Lanes 

The  drawback  about  average  rural  conditions  in 
respect  to  organized  social  life  is  the  lack  of  necessary 
facilities,  and  the  difficulty  of  assembling  the  people 
without  great  inconvenience.  The  city,  of  course,  has 
all  the  facilities  for  the  most  diversified  social  and  in- 
tellectual experience  within  easy  reach  of  its  popula- 
tion, but  in  this  case  there  are  other  conditions  that 
make  it  difficult  to  obtain  the  best  atmosphere  and  real- 
ize the  best  results.  It  is  an  axiom  that  in  the  city 
you  scarcely  know  your  next-door  neighbor.  Naturally, 
you  have  your  own  circle  of  acquaintances,  your  own 
social,  religious,  and  intellectual  affiliations,  and  so 
enjoy  the  benefits  of  society  to  some  extent;  but  com- 
paratively few  people  own  their  own  homes,  while  the 
population  is  constantly  shifting.  They  are  more  or 
less  like  the  tumble-weed  which,  because  its  roots  fail 
to  strike  into  the  ground,  goes  rolling  about  the  country 
before  every  stiff  breeze.  So  the  shifting  winds  of 
employment  and  unemployment,  of  prosperity  and  de- 
pression, have  their  effect  upon  neighborhoods  com- 
posed almost  wholly  of  those  living  in  rented  houses 
or  apartments.  These  conditions  do  not  favor  a  high 
development  of  social  relationships,  and  the  consequence 
is  that  beyond  a  small  circle  of  intimates  very  many 
of  us  have  no  social  diversions  except  church  and  the 
movies. 

The  population  of  tlie  garden  city,  on  the  other 
hand,  will  be  composed  100  per  cent  of  home-owners. 
There  will  be  comparatively  little  shifting  of  population 
as  the  years  go  by.  The  home-in-a-garden  folk  are  not 
like  the  tumble-weed;  they  are  more  like  the  oak  that 
sends  its  roots  deep,  taking  firm  hold  upon  the  soil,  in 


Social  Life  of  the  Garden  City  173 

order  that  its  sheltering  branches  may  reach  high  and 
wide.  Furthermore,  in  a  garden  city  of  the  right  size, 
people  would  be  generally  acquainted,  and  drawn  to- 
gether on  many  occasions  by  a  common  interest.  These 
fundamental  conditions  are  most  favorable  to  the  grad- 
ual evolution  of  an  interesting  society. 

I  think  in  time  quite  half  of  the  population  of  urban 
centers  will  be  dispersed  in  garden  homes  surrounding 
the  city,  within  thirty  to  sixty-minutes'  ride  of  their 
places  of  employment,  and  of  the  theaters,  art  gal- 
leries, department  stores,  and  other  great  attractions 
which  they  will  frequently  patronize.  This  would  mean 
that  tens  of  thousands,  and  in  many  cases,  hundreds 
of  thousands  of  families  would  be  so  situated.  We  do 
not,  however,  wish  to  create  another  great  city  on  the 
exterior  of  one  now  in  existence,  since  that  would  nullify 
the  social  principles  we  are  trying  to  establish.  There 
should  be  a  series  of  communities,  often  closely  con- 
tiguous, but  each  with  its  separate  social  life,  and  the 
facilities  that  would  be  required  for  its  service.  A 
community  of  500  families,  representing  a  total  popu- 
lation of  from  1,500  to  2,000,  would  be  about  right  to 
secure  the  best  results  in  a  social  way.  In  such  a  com- 
munity, in  addition  to  their  own  personal  friends  and 
acquaintances,  the  people  would  enjoy  the  benefits  of 
a  highly-organized  social  life,  such  as  is  by  no  means 
now  enjoyed  by  the  vast  majority  of  our  people,  either 
in  town  or  country. 

The  throbbing  heart  of  the  organized  social  life  in 
a  garden  city  is  its  civic  center,  with  its  manifold 
activities.  It  is  possible  to  make  this  institution  a 
great    socal    shrine — the   common   hearthstone    of    the 


174  City  Homes  on  Covmtry  Lanes 

community.  It  is  desirable,  though  not  strictl}'  neces- 
sary, that  it  should  be  very  attractive  in  a  material 
way,  and  very  complete  in  all  its  facilities.  I  have 
had  something  to  do  with  such  institutions  over  a  long 
period  of  years ;  and,  testif 3'ing  from  experience,  can 
bear  witness  to  the  fact  that  it  is  possible  to  achieve 
the  finest  spiritual  results  in  the  humblest  environment. 
Never  have  I  seen  the  spiritual  flame  of  the  community 
rise  higher  than  in  a  little  civic  center  which  consisted 
of  a  shanty  and  a  tent,  and  which  became,  in  fact,  the 
starting  point  of  a  new  social  history;  but  that  was  a 
matter  of  necessity  rather  than  of  choice.  It  is  desir- 
able that  this  great  spirit  should  be  comfortably,  even 
handsomely,  housed,  and  this  will  be  readily  possible 
in  communities  thoughtfully  planned  in  advance,  in  the 
light  of  experience. 

There  is  need,  first  of  all,  of  a  good-sized  auditorium, 
capable  of  seating  at  least  one-third  of  the  community, 
which  is  as  large  a  proportion  as  would  attend  on  all 
except  the  most  important  occasions.  There  is  much 
use  for  smaller  halls,  and  it  is  convenient  and  practi- 
cable to  have  these  built  at  the  side  of  the  large  audi- 
torium, and  so  arranged  that  they  can  be  opened  into 
it  when  it  may  be  necessary  to  accommodate  an  unusual 
audience.  One  of  the  most  cherished  institutions  in 
the  garden  city,  as  in  all  communities,  is  the  public 
library  and  reading-room,  and  this  should  be  an  in- 
tegral part  of  the  civic  center.  Nearly  all  facilities 
of  the  modern  club  should  be  provided,  since  club  life, 
both  for  men  and  women,  is  one  of  the  most  interesting 
and  satisfying  features  in  the  daily  experiences  of  the 
cultured  and  well-to-do. 


Social  Life  of  the  Garden  City  175 

The  civic  center  can  not  successfully  base  its  appeal 
upon  any  narrow  range  of  activities.  These  should  be 
diversified  as  much  as  possible,  in  order  to  enlist  all 
of  the  interests  and  keep  them  alive.  In  one  community 
of  this  kind  I  engaged  an  expert  census  enumerator 
who  happened  to  be  one  of  the  settlers,  and  had  him 
make  a  very  thorough  canvass  to  ascertain  the  tastes 
and  talents  of  our  people.  He  did  the  job  quite  scien- 
tifically, with  card-indexed  results.  We  were  all  amazed 
to  find  the  amount  and  diversity  of  talent  available  for 
public  entertainment  and  instruction.  One  man  was 
an  Esperanto  crank,  and  it  was  not  long  before  he 
had  a  number  of  people  stud^'ing  the  universal  lan- 
guage. One  lady  had  made  a  deep  study  of  old  Colonial 
dances  and  costumes,  and  she  soon  had  a  wonderful 
class,  which  appealed  especially  to  the  older  people. 
This  revival  of  the  stately  minuet  and  other  dignified 
dances  of  our  forefathers  was  so  popular  that  people 
frequently  came  many  miles  to  witness  it.  It  was  mar- 
velous to  behold  the  grace  concealed  under  the  roughest 
exterior,  and  developed  under  this  lady's  enthusiastic 
teaching. 

The  census  revealed  one  band-master,  and  a  dozen 
or  more  young  men  who  had  aspired  all  their  lives  to 
blow  a  horn,  with  no  opportunity  to  satisfy  their  am- 
bition. It  must  be  confessed  that  the  community  suf- 
fered a  good  deal  while  they  were  learning,  but  they 
finally  emerged  a  fairly  competent  brass  band.  Some 
very  good  actors  were  uncovered  (there  are  always 
such  in  these  communities),  and  a  rather  unusual  qual- 
ity of  dramatic  entertainments  evolved  after  a  time. 
Of   elocutionists,   musicians,   singers    and   good   public 


176  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

speakers  there  were  many,  for  a  surprisingly  large 
proportion  of  the  community  were  graduates  of  leading 
American  and  European  universities,  while  fully  half 
of  them  enjoyed  something  more  than  a  common-school 
education.  One  of  the  most  spiritual  and  eloquent 
preachers  I  ever  listened  to  had  been  hiding  his  light 
under  a  bushel,  and  was  induced  to  take  the  platform. 
He  soon  drew  large  audiences  from  the  surrounding 
country,  and  a  few  months  later  was  induced  to  leave 
us  and  accept  a  pulpit  in  a  large  city. 

It  is,  perhaps,  only  right  to  note  the  fact  that  some 
harmless  cranks  were  revealed  by  the  census,  and  that 
a  good  deal  of  tact  was  required  to  keep  them  from 
monopolizing  the  limelight.  Doubtless  the  most  pop- 
ular entertainments  are  the  dance  and  the  movies.  Both 
require  some  restraint ;  or,  let  us  say,  intelligent  direc- 
tion. It  is  possible  to  have  the  best  instead  of  the 
worst  of  these  things,  since  the  matter  lies  within  con- 
trol of  a  small  and  homogeneous  public,  so  organized 
as  to  be  able  to  give  effective  expression  to  its  desires. 

There  is  one  feature  of  the  social  and  intellectual 
life  of  a  garden  city  that  is  capable  of  very  high  de- 
velopment. This  is  the  weekly  meeting  devoted  to 
Current  Events.  Many  times  I  have  said  on  such 
occasions :  "We  ought  to  be  the  most  enlightened  people 
on  the  face  of  the  earth,  with  higher  average  knowledge 
of  worth-while  things  transpiring  throughout  the 
world,  than  any  otlicr  community."  The  passing  of 
tlie  years  has  not  changed  my  view ;  I  do  not  tliink  the 
statement  exaggerated.  To  begin  with,  the  initial  ap- 
peal of  the  garden  city,  as  shown  by  experience  and 
careful  analysis  of  its  constituents,  is  to  an  clement 


Social  Life  of  the  Garden  City  177 

possessing  ca  liigh  average  intelligence  and  education, 
even  culture.  The  appeal  is  to  the  ambitious,  the 
thoughtful — to  those  who  aspire  to  better  conditions 
of  living  for  themselves  and  their  children,  and  are 
willing  to  make  some  sacrifice  to  that  end;  hence,  the 
human  material  is  good  to  start  with.  Next,  it  is  pos- 
sible for  the  people  conveniently  to  assemble  once  a 
week  in  a  comfortable  auditorium.  Finally,  in  the 
citizenship  of  the  nearby  metropolis,  and  usually  of 
the  garden  city  itself,  there  is  abundant  talent  to  be 
drawn  upon  for  the  intelligent  presentation  of  every 
topic  within  the  range  of  current  discussion — political, 
literary,  artistic,  scientific,  and  religious. 

As  I  am  writing  these  words,  Einstein,  the  German 
physicist  and  Zionist  leader,  is  in  New  York  and  on 
the  front  pages  of  the  newspapers.  I  do  not  grasp 
his  theory  as  to  relativity,  and  am  comforted  to  learn 
that  there  are  only  twelve  people  in  the  world  who  can 
do  so ;  yet,  if  I  lived  in  a  garden  city,  and  saw  the 
announcement  that  some  notable  man  or  woman  would 
occupy  the  platform  to-night  and  tell  us  all  the  average 
brain  can  comprehend  in  regard  to  Einstein,  including 
his  passion  for  Zionism,  and  that  this  talk  would  be 
illustrated  by  moving  pictures,  I  should  certainly  want 
to  attend  that  meeting.  At  least,  I  should  have  the 
opportunity,  along  with  all  my  neighbors,  to  get  the 
best  word  about  Einstein  at  the  moment  when  he  was 
conspicuously  in  the  jjublic  mind.  And,  if  I  were  in 
charge  of  affairs,  I  would  undertake  to  get  hold  of 
Einstein  himself  and  exhibit  him  as  a  passing  lion. 

This  is  only  an  illustration  of  the  opportunities 
that  constantly  occur  to  lift  the  standard  of  general 


178  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

information  and  intelligence,  in  regard  to  big  things 
that  are  happening  all  of  the  time.  The  same  thing 
may  be  done  in  a  big  city,  of  course,  and  is  done  in 
extraordinary  cases.  But  in  a  garden  city  the  matter 
is  reduced  to  a  science.  We  make  a  business  of  it, 
deliberately  setting  out  on  a  voyage  of  intellectual 
discovery,  and  making  it  a  matter  of  common  pride  to 
keep  abreast  of  the  world's  progress.  We  have  the 
spirit  and  the  facilities  to  do  it,  and — we  do  it!  Speak- 
ing again  from  experience,  I  can  testify  that  it  is  a 
great  privilege,  appreciated  by  everybody,  including 
some  to  whom  it  would  not  be  expected  to  appeal. 

I  have  a  very  clear  recollection  of  the  first  evening 
of  this  kind  I  ever  experienced — perhaps  the  first  occa- 
sion when  such  a  programme  was  carried  out  in  such  a 
community.  It  was  inaugurated  by  a  young  woman 
of  brilliant  intellectual  attainments,  a  graduate  of 
Vassar,  who  had  had  the  benefit  of  post-graduate 
courses  at  Columbia  and  at  Stanford;  and,  though 
the  affair  was  held  in  a  tent,  it  is  no  exaggeration  to 
say  that  it  would  not  have  proven  disappointing  if 
held  at  Carnegie  Hall,  New  York.  It  covered  every 
worth-while  topic  of  contemporaneous  interest,  pre- 
senting not  only  the  essential  facts,  but  philosophic 
deductions  that  enlarged  the  outlook  of  all  hearers. 
For  example,  Bleriot  had  just  made  the  first  flight 
across  the  English  Channel,  and,  upon  the  strength  of 
what  now  seems  a  trivial  achievement,  we  soared 
through  the  skies  of  the  future  on  the  airplane — a 
future  now  fully  realized  and  become  commonplace. 
Indeed,  imder  that  extremely  intelligent  leading  we  en- 
joyed a  luminous  vision  of  the  new  intellectual  universe 


Social  Life  of  the  Garden  City  179 

which  was  to  be  opened  to  the  eyes  of  the  common 
mind.  We  adopted  almost  as  a  watchword,  the  ex- 
pression: "The  world  is  only  as  wide  as  our  thought — 
give  us  the  wide  horizon!" 

It  may  be  said  that  many  people  do  not  care  for 
opportunities  of  entertainment  and  education,  but  pre- 
fer to  spend  their  time  at  home,  or  in  the  company  of 
their  particular  friends ;  hence,  that  these  institutions 
of  community  life  would  languish. 

That  would  be  true,  if  the  founders  assumed  that 
all  people  have  the  same  tastes,  and,  therefore,  that  all 
would  wish  to  attend  the  same  function  at  the  same 
time.  Accommodations  based  on  that  theory  would 
very  often  exhibit  a  discouraging  amount  of  empty 
space.  The  most  popular  affair  would  rarely  attract 
more  than  ten  to  twenty  per  cent  of  the  community. 
Social  tastes  are  widely  diversified,  and  fortunately  so. 
People  form  themselves  into  groups  by  natural  at- 
traction and  common  interests.  The  fellows  who  want 
to  play  chess  or  billiards,  or  cards,  are  not  long  in 
finding  each  other  out  and  cementing  firm  ties  of  fel- 
lowship. It  is  so  with  the  literary,  musical,  scientific 
and  religious  groups.  Then  there  are  studious  indi- 
viduals who  haunt  the  library  and  reading-room,  and  a 
certain  percentage  of  "clubable"  folk  who  like  to  sit 
around  the  fireplace  and  swap  yarns.  These  matters 
all  readily  adjust  themselves. 

There  is  such  a  thing  as  the  social  instinct ;  and  the 
properly  organized  garden  city  offers  the  fundamental 
conditions  best  suited  to  its  successful  cultivation. 

In  writing  of  these  hopes  to  Secretary  Lane,  with 
special  reference  to  the  civic  center  in  a  garden  city 


180  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

for  Washington,  I  said:  "One  thing  I  have  set  ray 
heart  on,  and  that  is  chimes !  I  want  the  Homelander 
to  stand  on  his  porch  at  twilight,  and  hear  'Abide  With 
Me'  ring  out  over  the  land  and  echo  back  from  the 
hills ;  for  I  am  thinking  of  the  Spiritual  Man  of  the 
Soil  who  is  working  in  conscious  partnership  with  God 
in  going  on  with  the  creation  of  the  earth — the  new 
and  better  earth  that  is  to  be."  He  replied  in  warm 
sympathy  and  approval  in  regard  to  the  whole  plan, 
and  said  with  italicized  emphasis :  "/  am  for  the 
chimes  r' 


CHAPTER  XIX 

THE    PERSONAL    EQUATION 

The  lowliest  hearthstone  flame 

Is  worthier  of  worship  than  the  sun. 
The  patter  of  hare  brown  feet  that  dance  and  run 

Over  roughest  cabin  floor, 
And  the  poor  niotlier's  happy  smile,  are  more 

Than  starry  hosts  and  lofty  ghosts. 
And   awful  phantoms  born  of  overwrought 

And  soulless  travail  on  the  heights  of  thought. 

Maurice  Thompson. 

THE  way  of  life  discussed  in  these  pages  will 
bring  happiness  and  contentment,  together  with 
a  large  measure  of  security  and  individual  inde- 
pendence, founded  on  landed  proprietorship,  to  millions 
of  families  now  utterly  defenseless  against  the  high 
cost  of  living  and  entirely  dependent  upon  landlords 
for  a  place  to  lay  their  heads.  A  movement  that  prom- 
ises so  much  in  the  way  of  social  upbuilding  is  certainly 
well  wortli}'  of  national  attention  and  encouragement. 
It  docs  not  follow  that  everybody  will  adopt  this  way 
of  life;  or  tliat  all  would  find  it  satisfactory  if  they 
did.  It  has  been  my  consistent  effort  to  keep  clear 
the  distinction  between  those  who  are  city-minded  and 
those  who  are  country-minded.  It  would  be  very  inter- 
esting to  know  how  society  is  divided  along  tliese  lines, 
but  there  is  no  way  to  ascertain,  except  by  the  slow 
evolution  of  the  national  life. 

181 


182  City  Homes  on   Country  Lanes 

The  city-minded  will  continue,  as  they  ought,  to  dwell 
in  town.  Capital  and  enterprise,  catering  always  to 
popular  taste,  have  brought  wonderful  improvements 
in  the  conditions  of  urban  living  and  will  doubtless 
continue  to  do  so.  The  modern  apartment  house  is  a 
monument  to  the  craze  for  city  life.  It  brings  within 
reach  of  the  many  conveniences  that  could  not  be  bought 
with  a  price  a  generation  or  so  ago.  Municipal  ad- 
vantages of  every  kind  have  been  highly  developed  and 
are  improving  all  the  time.  For  the  city-minded, 
capital  and  genius  have  wrought  well  in  every  depart- 
ment ;  and  yet,  from  the  standpoint  of  the  country- 
minded,  the  sum  of  this  fine  achievement  is  as  "dust 
and  ashes,"  because  it  leaves  their  souls  utterly  un- 
satisfied. It  represents  only  the  dry  husk  of  living. 
There  is  no  nourishing  kernel  at  the  core  of  it. 

The  country-minded  will  never  be  happy  until  they 
can  set  their  feet  on  a  spot  of  ground  all  their  own. 
Like  the  birds  of  the  air,  they  want  a  nest  of  their  own 
designing  and  fashioning,  in  the  shelter  of  the  trees, 
under  God's  blue  sky.  They  simply  can  not  make  a 
home  in  an  apartment  house,  be  it  ever  so  aristocratic 
and  expensive,  and  equipped  with  every  convenience 
that  the  human  brain  can  devise.  These  country- 
minded  })cople  will  always  be  s})iritual  aliens  in  a  flat. 
Tliey  will  never  be  at  peace  with  themselves  until  they 
strike  their  roots  into  their  native  soil.  Having  done 
everything  for  our  city-minded,  the  time  has  come 
when  the  eraving  of  the  country-minded  should  be  al- 
layed, if  for  no  hitter  reason  tlian  tiiat  of  quieting 
social  unrest,  and  thereby  conserving  our  institutions. 
The   city-minded   should   stay   in   town,   and   doubtless 


The  Personal  Equation  183 

will.  No  poorer  service  could  be  rendered  than  to  urge 
them  to  do  othenvise.  They  are  happy  in  their  present 
environment  and  would  be  miserable  if  they  stepped  out 
of  it. 

Hence,  this  message  is  designed  wholly  for  the  coun- 
try-minded who  desire  to  satisfy  their  passion  for  the 
soil  without  sacrificing  any  of  the  good  things  they 
are  now  getting  in  their  urban  experience,  including 
their  hold  upon  the  payroll. 

When  we  shall  have  put  a  tithe  of  the  money  and 
genius  into  the  creation  of  garden  cities  that  we  have 
put  into  apartment  houses,  family  hotels,  and  separate 
houses  jammed  together  on  25-foot  lots,  there  will 
be  a  revelation  of  country-mindedness  that  will  arouse 
the  nation  to  a  sense  of  duty  long  neglected,  and  put 
a  new  star  of  hope  in  the  sky  of  our  common  humanity. 

The  personal  equation  is  what  tells  in  making  success 
or  failure,  contentment  or  discontentment,  in  the  home- 
in-a-garden,  as  in  other  walks  of  life.  Those  who  have 
the  right  feeling  and  the  aptitude — or  at  least  the  ca- 
pacity to  acquire  it — are  the  ones  to  enter  upon  the 
adventure.  There  is  such  a  thing  as  the  home-in-a- 
garden  kink  in  the  brain,  just  as  there  is  such  a  thing 
as  the  mechanical  kink  in  the  brain ;  and,  in  fact,  the 
two  are  akin,  since  the  clement  of  workmanship  enters 
into  both.  Decidedly  there  is  a  technical  side  to  little- 
landing,  and  boundless  scope  for  the  growth  of  profi- 
ciency, acquired  in  part  by  study,  but  more  by  ex- 
perience. The  people  who  do  well  are  those  who  care; 
and  the  people  who  do  best  of  all  are  those  who  sense 
the  deep  spiritual  significance  of  the  thing,  and  so  make 
it  a  sort  of  religion.     In  many  this  is  a  dormant  sense 


184  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

susceptible  of  being  awakened  and  cultivated  in  a  high 
degree,  like  the  sense  of  democracy  in  backward 
peoples. 

The  country-minded  are  confined  to  no  particular 
walk  in  life.  To  illustrate,  in  one  garden  city,  where 
some  one  took  pains  to  get  the  data,  it  was  found  that 
the  following  occupations  were  represented :  House- 
wives, farmers,  carpenters,  physicians,  stenographers, 
nurserymen,  builders,  editors,  grocers,  craftsworkers, 
stationary  engineers,  school-teachers,  dressmakers, 
clerks,  expert  accountants,  photographers,  contractors, 
real  estate  men,  printers,  clergymen,  horticulturists, 
electricians,  metal  workers,  bank  clerks,  mining  engi- 
neers, artists,  assayers,  bookkeepers,  jewelers,  black- 
smiths, music-teachers,  authors,  storekeepers,  car- 
builders,  railroad  conductors,  civil  service  men,  machin- 
ists, hotel  steward,  lumber  dealer,  truckman,  newspaper 
manager,  superintendent  of  water-works,  landscape 
gardener,  locomotive  engineer,  construction  foreman, 
produce  dealer,  rancher,  gardener,  dry  goods,  tinner, 
cooper,  wood  patternmaker,  laborer,  restaurant  man, 
worsted  weaver,  patent  medicine. 

As  tlie  appeal  of  the  garden  home  is  by  no  means 
limited  to  any  particular  walk  in  life,  neither  is  it 
limited  to  either  sex.  The  garden  home  is  preeminently 
a  family  rooftree,  and  its  ideal  })ro])rietor  is  the  man 
with  wife  and  children,  all  interested  and  hel})ful.  I 
venture  to  j)re(lict  that  the  divorce  rate  will  decrease 
with  the  growth  of  garden  homes.  Such  homes  are  far 
more  favorable  to  domestic  felicity  than  apartment 
houses  and  family  hotils.  The  mere  fact  of  partner- 
sliip  in  a  nmtual  enterprise  will  have  something  to  do 


Mail 


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1.1  \  IM.     I  -1,1  L  l.LV    Al'    81 

in  the  days  of  his  strength,  has  provided  himself  with  a  WL'll-eqiiipp«d 
(iardea  Home,  will  find  the  answer  to  the  poet's  prayer: 
"May  my  hi>t  days  be  my  best." 


The  Personal  Equation  185 

with  it ;  absorption  in  interesting  work  will  have  its 
part;  but  more  than  all  else,  the  spiritual  companion- 
ship that  goes  with  the  trees  and  flowers  and  open  skies. 
Not  only  will  there  be  fewer  divorces ;  there  will  be 
more  marriages  and  more  children,  and  for  similar 
reasons. 

The  occupations  of  the  garden  home  are  all  such  as 
women  can  readily  pursue,  if  they  have  the  taste  for 
such  things.  An  interesting  and  inspiring  book  might 
be  written  on  this  phase  of  the  subject.  Nothing  ex- 
cept the  limitation  of  space  restrains  me  from  relating 
many  experiences  of  the  kind  which  have  come  under 
my  own  observation  during  the  past  ^0  years.  Even 
so,  I  must  refer  to  a  single  instance  that  may  inspire 
others  to  the  adventure. 

In  one  of  the  most  picturesque  of  California  valleys, 
not  far  from  Los  Angeles,  two  young  women  started 
out  ten  years  ago  to  make  a  self-sustaining  home  on 
a  single  acre.  They  were  accomplished  artists,  and 
perhaps  the  wild  beauty  of  the  region  lured  them  into 
this  new  way  of  life,  so  strange  to  their  experience 
and — some  would  have  thought— so  forbidding  to  per- 
sons of  their  delicate  strength.  They  built  a  com- 
modious and  beautiful  tile  house,  largely  with  their  own 
hands,  and  proceeded  to  organize  their  small  holding 
on  the  basis  of  the  most  diversified  production — vege- 
tables, fruit  trees,  berries,  poultry,  rabbits,  bees,  and, 
finally,  goats.  "Pretty  hard  work  for  two  girls,"  they 
always  cautioned  me  to  say,  yet  there  they  are  after 
many  years,  and  there  their  hearts  will  always  abide. 

They  demonstrated  that  they  could  make  a  living 
from  an  acre  of  ground  within  easy  distance  of  a  great 


186  City  Homes  on   Country  Lanes 

city,  and  enjoy  a  life  of  glorious  freedom  in  an  en- 
vironment exceedingly  inspiring  to  their  artistic  tastes 
and  talents.  One  of  them,  Miss  Mabel  Free,  was  the 
gardener;  while  the  other,  Miss  Emma  Kraft,  looked 
after  the  live  stock,  finally  specializing  on  Nubian  goats 
(fell  in  love  with  their  Roman  noses!)  and  won  high 
distinction  as  a  breeder.  It  was  a  thoroughly  triumph- 
ant experience. 

Such  experiences  pertain  to  all  parts  of  the  United 
States  and  to  many  different  lines  of  work.  Everybody 
knows,  of  course,  that  women  are  often  adepts  at  rais- 
ing flowers,  and  there  are  numerous  instances  where 
they  have  developed  into  skilled  florists  and  enjoyed  a 
high  degree  of  commercial  success.  Women  are  equally 
successful  with  vegetables  and  small  fruits,  and  are  par- 
ticularly adapted  to  the  fine  art  of  intensive  cultivation. 

The  culture  of  thoroughbred  goats  has  fallen  very 
largely  into  the  hands  of  women — perhaps  because  of 
their  sympathy  for  children,  for  whom  this  kind  of  milk 
is  often  prescribed. 

The  raising  of  chickens  and  squabs  are  favorite  in- 
dustries of  women,  and  income  from  this  source  fre- 
quently supports  a  family  in  moderate  circumstances. 

Women  also  take  kindly  to  rabbitcraft,  and  when 
they  raise  thv  fur-bearing  varieties,  often  do  well  in 
manufacturing  and  selling  fur  garments.  Often  they 
specialize  with  bees. 

Among  the  country-minded  people  of  big  cities  are 
great  numbers  of  unmarried  women  who  do  well  in 
garden  homes  of  their  own,  especially  where  there  are 
two  or  ilircc  of  lliciii  to  cooperate  in  the  undertaking. 
Indeed,  these  baeiielor-maids,  as  well  as  bachelors  of 
ti)e  male  persuasion,  have  always   been   conspicuously 


The  Personal  Equation  187 

numerous  in  garden  communities.  Sometimes  when  I 
see  a  childless  woman  hugging  a  fashionable  poodle 
and  am  told  that  she  does  this  in  response  to  the  ma- 
ternal instinct,  I  am  moved  to  wonder  whether  she  does 
not  represent  a  type  of  women  who  would  find  far  more 
satisfaction  if  they  lavished  their  affection  and  energies 
on  the  interesting  small  livestock  that  goes  with  a  gar- 
den home.  Really  there  is  a  princij)le  here  worth  think- 
ing of  in  relation  to  both  sexes ;  and  it  is  a  possible 
explanation  of  the  undoubted  fact  that  unmarried  men 
and  women  do  naturally  tend  toward  the  little  home 
on  the  land.  Of  course,  they  do  not  all  remain  un- 
married. Who  would  expect  them  to  do  so,  since  the 
advantage  of  a  woman  in  the  home  and  a  man  on  the 
place,  becomes  quickly  obvious.''  The  agreeable  social 
contact  in  such  a  community  is  rather  discouraging  to 
single  blessedness ;  and  the  really  competent  person  of 
either  sex  is  likely  to  develop  into  a  great  attraction. 
This  is  natural  and  logical,  and  by  no  means  to  be 
deplored. 

There  is  another  respect  in  which  the  personal  equa- 
tion should  be  emphasized — its  relation  to  the  problem 
of  old  age.  A  few  years  ago  an  Eastern  publication 
projected  this  question:  "Where  will  you  be  at  GS.'"' 
Following  it  witii  this  statement : 

"Of  100  healthy  men  at  25— 
36  will  be  dead  at  65, 
1   will  be  rich, 
•i  will  be  wealthy, 

5  will  be  supporting  themselves  by  work, 
54'  will  be  dependent   upon   their   friends,   rela- 
tives, or  charity." 


188  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

If  this  be  true,  then  more  than  half  of  us  have  some- 
thing very  serious  to  think  about.  Nothing  is  more 
terrible  than  an  unprovided  old  age.  For  many  people, 
the  garden  home  is  the  best  possible  provision,  and 
when  we  shall  have  the  right  sort  of  national  policy 
this  provision  for  a  decent,  comfortable,  and  interesting 
old  age  will  be  brought  within  the  reach  of  almost 
everybody.  For  many  it  will  be  the  richest  period  of 
their  lives.  Of  course,  it  is  possible  for  a  man  to  out- 
live his  usefulness,  even  in  a  garden  home ;  but  the 
best  place  for  him  to  be  when  that  time  comes  is  in  a 
neighborhood  of  sympathetic  people,  and  the  best  asset 
to  possess  is  a  well-developed  garden  home,  where  he 
may  readily  find  companions,  or  a  family  that  is  will- 
ing to  occupy  the  place — (purchase  it,  perhaps),  in 
return  for  the  care  of  its  feeble  owner.  That  is  better 
than  dependence  on  "friends,  relatives,  or  charity." 
Indeed  it  is  not  dependence  in  any  proper  sense.  It 
is  ])aying  for  what  you  get  in  the  kind  of  coin  that  is 
worth  its  face. 

The  care  of  such  a  place  is  not  beyond  the  strength 
of  healthy  old  age.  With  no  rent  to  pay,  with  plenty 
of  vegetables,  berries,  fruit,  milk,  eggs,  and  consider- 
able meat,  the  cost  of  living  is  small.  It  is  quite  feasible 
to  have  a  little  surplus  to  exchange  for  cash,  especially 
of  such  things  as  eggs,  chickens  and  rabbits.  The 
average  old  man  would  be  far  happier  and  better  off 
in  every  way  in  such  a  home  of  his  own  than  in  a  public 
institution,  even  of  the  better  sort.  In  considering  the 
personal  equation,  the  ageing  jjersoii  may  well  ask  him- 
self if  lie  knows  of  any  better  ])r()vision  to  make  in  the 


SERVIXG   IIKIi   COUNTHY   AT   OVKR    9U 

Mrs.  Tlionias  B.  Kdwards  of  Obcrlin,  Ohio,  ruUivatod  Iior  war  garden  after  the  initial 

plowing,  besides  canning  vegetables  for  herself  and  relatives 


The  Personal  Equation  189 

days  of  health  and  strength  than  to  invest  his  savings 
in  a  garden  home,  and  acquire  all  the  skill  he  can  in 
handling  it.  This  is  a  question  for  millions  of  men 
and  women — a  question  by  no  means  academic,  but  of 
the  most  practical  sort. 

Another  aspect  of  the  personal  equation:  S.  W. 
Strauss,  of  the  National  Society  of  Thrift,  quoting 
from  the  records  of  the  Surrogate  Courts,  made  this 
statement : 

"Of  100  men  who  die— 

3  leave  estates  of  $10,000  or  more, 
15  leave  estates  of  from  $2,000  to  $10,000, 
82  out  of  every  100  leave  no  income-producing 
estate  at  all. 
"Of  100  widows— 

6  are    left    in    good    or    comfortable    circum- 
stances, 
47  are  obliged  to  go  to  work, 
35  are  left  in  absolute  want." 

What  a  reflection  on  the  civilization  of  America  in 
the  Twentieth  Century!  Eighty-two  men  out  of  every 
hundred  are  unable  to  provide  for  their  nearest  and 
dearest,  as  the  net  result  of  their  life-time  labor!  Their 
wives  must  go  out  and  look  for  a  job,  or  hold  out  their 
hands  for  charity  when  the  bread-winner  drops  by  the 
wayside. 

Really,  is  it  any  wonder  that  among  our  hundred 
millions  there  are  some  who  openly  declare  for  Social 
Revolution?  A  great  New  York  banker,  on  returning 
from  a  trip  to  Russia,  remarked:  "We  would  all  be 


190  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

Bolshevists  if  we  were  hungry  enough."  The  world 
has  learned,  of  course,  that  Bolshevism  is  a  poor  anti- 
dote for  hunger;  but  who  shall  say  that  the  well- 
developed  garden  home  is  not  an  antidote  for  the  54  per 
cent  of  old  men  and  the  82  per  cent  of  widows  now 
left  defenseless  in  their  hour  of  greatest  need? 

If  we  could  do  nothing  else  with  the  home-in-a-garden 
policy  except  to  right  these  social  tragedies  the  thing 
would  be  worth  while.  It  happens  that  this,  important 
as  it  is,  is  only  a  beneficent  incident  of  a  system  that 
will  heal  a  thousand  wounds,  found  millions  of  inde- 
pendent homes,  deepen  and  broaden  the  basis  of  our 
institutions,  and  literally  "take  Occasion  by  the  hand 
and  make  the  bounds  of  freedom  wider  yet."  Even 
so,  could  there  be  a  sweeter  service  to  humanity  than 
to  raise  a  shield  for  old  age  and  widowhood  against  the 
dangers  that  now  beset  them,  with  the  vast  majority 
of  our  people? 

Finally,  a  thoughtful  consideration  of  the  personal 
equation  is  the  first  thing  the  interested  reader  owes 
to  liimsclf.  It  can  not  be  too  often  said,  nor  said  with 
too  mucli  emphasis  that  the  home-in-a-garden  is  for 
those  who  like  that  sort  of  thing;  and  especially 
for  those  who  like  it  so  much  that  they  can  enter  upon 
it  in  the  spirit  of  consecration.  There  is  no  holier 
place  on  earth  than  tlie  home;  no  more  sacred  altar 
than  the  family  hearthstone.  Its  possibilities  of  happi- 
ness, contentment  and  security  are  infinite.  It  has  its 
material  side,  but  its  dominating  note  is  spiritual.  It 
is,  perhaps,  the  deepest  note  we  ever  experience;  as 
deep  as  man's  love  for  the  wife  of  his  youth;  as  deep 
as  his  love  for  liis  children.     To  make  one  such  home 


The  Personal  Equation  191 

in  the  course  of  a  lifetime  is  an  achievement  to  chal- 
lenge the  pride  and  strength  of  any  man ;  to  make  mil- 
lions of  such  homes  would  be  the  proudest  achievement 
of  statesmanship. 


PART  TWO 

The  Constructive  Programme 


CHAPTER  I 

THE   AGE    OF   THE   ENGINEEE 

THE  world  has  come  to  the  Age  of  the  Engineer — 
when  engineering  is  statesmanship  and  statcs- 
mansliip  is  engineering.  The  demand  is  for 
facts,  for  exact  information,  and  then  for  the  appli- 
cation of  the  facts  by  genuinely  scientific  metliods. 
The  end  sought  is  efficiency  not  merely,  but  somctliing 
infinitely  more  important — the  extension  of  man's 
promised  dominion  over  the  earth,  with  an  unimagined 
increase  in  the  security,  the  prosperity  and  the  happi- 
ness of  mankind. 

Men  can  live — have  lived  for  ages — by  the  crude, 
primitive,  even  wasteful  use  of  Nature's  resources ;  but 
infinitely  more  of  them  can  live,  and  live  infinitely  better 
than  men  ever  lived  before,  when  they  shall  have  learned 
to  make  the  most  of  their  opportunities  and  environ- 
ment. This  is  the  key  to  the  future,  which  is  to  be 
better  than  the  past.  Only  the  high  spirit  of  the 
trained  engineer,  dwelling  in  the  upper  air  of  disinter- 
ested service,  is  equal  to  the  obligations  of  leadership 
in  a  day  when  this  fundamental  truth  is  realized. 

These  are  facts  which  the  world  is  just  beginning 
to  see;  but  they  developed  very  early  in  the  course  of 
the  inquiry  set  on  foot  by  Secretary  Lane  in  the  interest 
of  rural  reconstruction.  It  was  perfectly  plain  that 
all  the  great  mistakes  that  had  attended  the  develop- 

195 


196  ^'^ty  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

ment  of  agriculture,  nearly  all  of  the  disheartening 
disappointments,  and  a  very  large  share  of  the  un- 
popularity of  rural  life,  could  be  traced  to  the  absence 
of  this  high  sense  of  engineering  and  of  responsible 
public  leadership  that  should  make  it  available  to  the 
people. 

We  had  pei*mitted  the  spirit  of  individualism  to  run 
riot  in  a  department  of  the  national  life  closely  related 
to  the  common  welfare.  There  is  no  reason  why  an 
acre  of  poor  land  should  ever  be  offered  to  a  settler. 
There  is  no  reason  why  vast  areas  of  land,  unfitted  for 
cultivation  in  their  natural  state,  should  not  be  made 
over  into  the  best  soil,  whether  it  requires  drainage, 
irrigation,  clearing  or  ref ertilization ;  but,  to  deal  suc- 
cessfully with  such  things  it  is  necessary  to  enlist  a 
quality  and  range  of  information  not  within  reach  of 
the  average  promoter  or  settler,  and  then  to  utilize 
this  information  in  a  scientific  way.  The  great  need 
is  a  form  of  development  thoroughly  planned  in  ad- 
vance, and  executed  with  precision. 

Another  conclusion  was  arrived  at:  That  it  is  not 
enough  simply  to  investigate  soils  and  do  the  large 
work  of  reclamation,  sucii  as  the  provision  of  irriga- 
tion and  drainage,  as  the  Government  has  done  in  the 
Western  States.  The  land  should  be  cleared,  plowed, 
harrowed,  and  made  ready  for  tlie  planting  of  the 
seed — even  fertilized  if  necessary.  Some  of  these  proc- 
esses require  scientific  knowledge  and  methods ;  and 
all  of  them  can  be  performed  more  economically  and 
thoroughly  if  done  on  a  large  scale  and  standardized. 
After  all  this  has  been  done,  the  settler  stands  only 
on  tlie  threshold  of  his  new  adventure.     The  engineer 


The  Age  of  the  Engineer  197 

should  go  with  him  all  the  way.  Some  one  should  plan 
his  system  of  agriculture  with  due  reference  to  soil  and 
climate,  transportation  facilities  and  markets.  He 
needs  prevision  in  this  respect;  needs  an  architect  for 
this  work  more  than  for  the  building  of  his  house. 
He  can  live  in  any  sort  of  a  house,  if  need  be,  but  can 
by  no  means  succeed  with  any  sort  of  a  system  of  agri- 
culture. 

There  is  no  reason  in  the  world  why  each  new  settler 
should  begin  as  though  he  were  the  first  man  who  ever 
tried  to  make  a  home  on  the  land;  no  reason  why  he 
should  not  proceed  to  his  work  in  the  light  of  all  the 
experience  of  the  past ;  but,  to  do  this,  he  requires  a 
range  of  information  not  easily  within  his  reach,  and, 
indeed,  only  within  reach  of  the  trained  and  scientific 
mind.  Even  when  he  has  the  correct  system  for  his 
environment,  he  seldom  knows  liow  to  apply  it  in  a 
manner  to  obtain  the  best  results.  He  must  be  in- 
structed b}'  text  and  by  example.  Telling  him  is  not 
enough — he  must  be  shoxmi. 

Next,  comes  the  need  of  organized  cooperation.  First 
of  all  in  buying,  then  in  packing,  shipping,  sometimes 
in  manufacturing,  always  in  selling,  which  often  in- 
cludes the  feature  of  publicity.  It  is  a  misnomer  to 
speak  of  the  independent  home.  Interdependent  is  the 
right  word,  for  a  prosperous  conununity  on  the  land 
is  made  up  of  many  units,  each  more  or  less  dependent 
on  all  the  others,  and  requiring  the  element  of  unitv 
in  their  affairs  in  order  to  realize  anything  approach- 
ing the  best  results.  Here  good  engineering — using  the 
term  in  its  broadest  sense — is  highly  essential.  The 
lack  of  it  is  responsible  for  many  tribulations.     It  is 


198  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

pitiable  to  see  millions  of  farmers,  long  established  on 
the  land,  groping  their  way  to  forms  of  cooperation 
which  they  have  found  utterly  necessary  to  their  eco- 
nomic existence,  and  which  the  right  sort  of  engineering 
might  readily  have  provided  for  them  at  the  beginning, 
long  before  they  got  into  trouble.  In  fact,  it  could 
have  been  done  far  better  in  the  beginning  than  at  the 
later  stages,  when  a  thousand  obstacles  have  arisen, 
and  a  thousand  evil  ways  have  hardened  into  custom. 

In  a  garden-city  settlement,  I  would  carry  the  spirit 
of  engineering  still  further — even  into  the  kitchen  and 
dining-room.  If  our  people  are  to  live  luxuriously,  it 
is  not  enough  for  them  to  know  how  to  produce  all  the 
materials  for  a  luxurious  living;  they  must  also  know 
how  to  put  them  together.  Take  so  simple  a  matter  as 
a  salad :  Anybody  with  a  garden  can  grow  nearly  all 
the  components  of  a  good  salad;  but,  there  are  salads 
and  salads ;  some  hardly  iSt  to  eat,  others  that  are 
food  for  the  gods.     Making  a  good  salad  is  an  art. 

I  recall  a  wonderful  dish  I  once  had  in  a  San  Fran- 
cisco restaurant.  I  sent  for  the  chef  and  asked  him 
if  anybody  could  make  that  kind  of  a  salad  if  he  had 
the  ingredients  and  knew  how.  "Sure!"  he  said,  with 
an  ex])ansive  smile.  "Well,"  I  replied,  "if  a  lot  of  peo- 
ple who  raise  these  things  should  send  for  you  and 
j)ay  you  a  good  fee,  would  you  show  them  how  to  do 
it?"  "Sure  I  would!"  he  re})lic'd.  Now,  the  man  is  a 
scientific  engineer  in  the  matter  of  making  salads. 
Isn't  it  absurd  that  a  lot  of  nice  men  and  women,  having 
the  material  at  liand,  and  lacking  only  the  art  of  mak- 
ing tlie  most  of  it,  sliould  go  on  eating  commonplace 


The  Age  of  the  Engineer  199 

things,  when  they  might  have  the  best,  if  they  only 
knew  how?  * 

The  ])rinciple  apphcs  to  everytliing  produced  and 
consumed  in  the  garden  home,  but  it  will  never  be  de- 
veloped to  its  full  possibilities  until  we  have  the  engi- 
neer in  the  kitchen.  It  is  possible  to  map  out  the  fam- 
ily bill-of-fare  long  in  advance,  and  to  order  produc- 
tion accordingly.  It  is  possible  to  provide  luxurious 
fare,  daintily  served,  in  the  homes  of  all  our  people ;  but 
these  things  will  not  actually  be  done  until  the  founders 
of  communities  enlarge  their  vision  of  responsibility  and 
usefulness. 

We  must  have  the  New  Engineer  to  make  the  New 
Earth. 

It  is  only  fair  to  say  that  great  progress  has  been 
made  along  these  lines  during  the  past  few  decades. 
The  early  eras  of  colonization,  beginning  with  the  Pil- 
grim Fathers,  and  coming  down  as  late  as  the  settle- 
ment of  the  Mississippi  Valley,  managed  to  get  along 
with  little  or  none  of  the  spirit  of  engineering.  In 
late  years,  both  the  Government  and  private  enterprise 
have  done  much  in  the  way  of  hydraulic  and  agricul- 
tural engineering,  yet  we  are  only  at  the  gray  dawn 
of  things  in  this  regard.  We  need  a  School  of  Social 
Engineering  that  should  supply  a  far  more  compre- 
hensive training  than  is  now  available  in  any  existing 
institution.  We  still  should  be  dependent  on  special- 
ists in  many  lines  of  investigation  and  construction ; 
but  we  need  a  type  of  engineer  who  will  grasp  the  whole 

*  Shortly  after  tliesc  words  were  written  the  Boston  Institute 
of  Technology  announced  a  new  department  of  Food  Engineering. 


200  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

problem   of  organizing  prosperity   and  happiness   for 
our  people  on  the  land. 

The  man  will  come  forth  in  response  to  humanity's 
great  need.     Ke  will  be  the  Architect  of  Institutions. 


CHAPTER  II 

WHAT    THE    GOVERNMENT    OWES    ITS    PEOPLE 

The   futvire   works   out   great   men's   purposes; 
The    present    is   enough    for   eonimon    souls, 
Who,  never  looknig  forward,  are  indeed 
Mere  ehiy,  wherein   the  footprints  of  their   age 
Are  ])etrified  forever  .    .    . 

James   Russell  Lowell. 

IT  used  to  be  said  that  Uncle  Sam  was  rich  enough 
to  give  us  all  a  farm.  That  was  true  while  the 
fertile  lands  of  tlic  Mississippi  Valley  were  still 
a  part  of  the  public  domain,  and  while  the  settler  had 
simply  to  turn  the  prairie  sod  and  proceed  with  the 
planting  of  his  croj).  Those  days  are  long  past.  Uncle 
Sam  is  not  now  rich  enough  to  give  us  all  a  farm.  And 
it  would  not  be  a  good  thing  for  most  of  us  if  he  were. 
The  things  we  work  and  pay  for  are  always  more  valu- 
able to  us  than  the  things  we  get  for  nothing.  But 
Uncle  Sam  does  owe  something  to  his  people  in  the 
matter  of  homes — both  garden  and  farm  homes.  It  is 
something  the  people  do  not  possess ;  something  they 
can  not  buy  with  money. 

This  something  is  enlightened,  disinterested  leader- 
ship. 

With  a  quality  of  leadership  in  which  they  shall 
have  perfect  confidence,  the  people  can  do  everything 
for    themselves    that    needs    to    be   done.      No    private 

201 


202  City  Homes  on   Country  Lanes 

agency  can  command  the  necessary  confidence  because 
in  the  past  no  private  agency  has  ever  been  equal  to 
the  responsibihty.  Perhaps  it  is  not  in  human  nature 
that  any  private  agency  should  be  equal  to  it.  There 
are  drawbacks  about  the  public  service,  chiefly  the  fact 
that  it  is  wretchedly  underpaid,  but  it  has  one  great 
advantage — the  fact  that  it  enables  a  man  to  rise 
above  all  thought  of  selfish  personal  interest,  save  as 
his  interest  may  be  forAvardcd  by  noble  service,  and  to 
view  the  problems  before  him  in  a  spirit  of  complete 
detachment.  This  spirit  of  detachment  is  essential 
to  the  sort  of  home-building  that  will  be  the  real  healing 
and  saving  of  our  people.  I  repeat,  it  is  not  a  ques- 
tion of  public  money;  it  involves  no  raid  on  the  public 
treasury ;  no  taxing  of  some  people  for  the  benefit  of 
others;  but  it  does  involve  a  raid,  if  you  please,  upon 
the  nation's  reserves  of  intellect,  of  knowledge,  and  of 
heart. 

This  is  one  of  the  great  lessons  learned  in  conse- 
quence of  Secretary  Lane's  inquiry  in  the  interest  of 
national  reconstruction.  Necessity  is  still  the  mother 
of  Invention.  It  was  found  that  with  a  fixed  debt  of 
twenty-four  billion,  an  annual  budget  of  four  or  five 
biUion,  and  a  currency  inflation  tliat  cut  the  value  of 
every  dollar  in  half,  it  wouUl  not  be  possible  to  obtain 
from  Congress — even  if  anybody  had  the  courage  to 
ask  it — anything  ap})roaching  the  amount  of  money 
that  would  be  recjuired  to  develop  a  home-building 
policy  worthy  of  America.  A  big  appropriation  might 
be  had  in  the  interest  of  our  service  men.  That  was 
a  matter  that  stood  on  difl"erent  ground.  Ikit  Teace 
has  her  dead  and  wounded  as  much  as  War.     As  a  mat- 


What  the  Government  Owes  Its  People        203 

ter  of  fact  the  veterans  of  peace,  because  of  age  and 
other  disabilities,  are  often  in  more  urgent  need  of 
liomes  and  employment  than  that  large  proportion 
of  War's  young  veterans  who  came  unscathed  from  the 
battlefields,  or  perhaps  never  had  the  good  fortune  to 
come  within  sound  of  the  enemy's  guns. 

In  searching  for  a  key  that  might  unlock  the  door 
to  the  land  in  the  interest  of  all  elements  of  our  people, 
some  eyes  were  turned  toward  Utah,  which  has  enjoyed 
an  uncommonly  successful  colonization  experience  since 
July  24,  1847,  when  Brigham  Young  and  his  little 
band  of  hunted  fugitives  emerged  from  the  mouth  of 
Emigration  Canyon  and  entered  upon  the  founding  of 
a  great  State,  whose  cornerstone  was  the  little  irri- 
gated farm.  Here,  for  three-fourths  of  a  century,  poor 
men  have  been  coming  from  all  parts  of  the  earth  to 
find  jobs  working  for  themselves  and  build  self-sustain- 
ing homes,  to  become  landed  proprietors,  to  share  in 
the  cooperative  ownership  of  the  store,  the  factory  and 
the  bank.  Nowhere  else  is  ownership  so  widely  dis- 
tributed among  the  people,  or  the  common  prosperity 
erected  on  so  firm  a  foundation. 

The  achievement  can  not  justly  be  credited  to  cap- 
ital. There  was  no  capital  to  speak  of  in  the  early 
days  when  the  foundations  of  the  Commonwealth  were 
being  laid  deep  in  the  arid  soil.  Labor  can  claim  no 
peculiar  credit  for  the  achievement,  because  men  have 
labored  everywhere  and  always,  and  have  no  expecta- 
tion of  ever  doing  otherwise.  "Thou  shalt  earn  thy 
bread  in  the  sweat  of  thy  face,"  is  the  Divine  com- 
mand. Utah  is  a  monument  to  leadership — to  a  qual- 
ity of  leadership  that  has  been  creative  and  inspiring. 


204  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

This  leadership  has  been  generally  attributed  to  the 
Mormon  Church,  and  justly  so.  It  is  often  said:  "Yes, 
the  Church  could  do  it,  but  nobody  else  could  do  it.'* 
It  is  a  shallow  remark,  based  on  the  most  superficial 
knowledge  of  Mormon  institutions.  Leadership  is 
leadership;  and,  great  as  is  the  Mormon  Church,  it  is 
a  very  small  thing  when  compared  to  the  Government 
of  the  United  States. 

Many  years  ago  I  discussed  this  subject  before  a 
meeting  of  Boston  ministers.  One  of  them  arose  and 
asked,  in  a  nasal  voice:  "Will  you  tell  me  how  it  hap- 
pens that  after  half  a  century  of  vigorous  prosecution 
on  the  part  of  the  Government  these  Mormons  are 
growing  faster  and  prospering  more  than  ever  before?" 
I  replied :  "That  is  a  very  easy  question.  Your  church, 
I  assume,  offers  the  prospective  convert  a  halo  in  the 
next  world.  Now,  the  Mormons  offer  him  three  square 
meals  a  day  in  this  world,  with  a  halo  in  the  next  world 
thrown  in  for  good  measure.  It  is  a  proposition  that 
has  appealed  to  a  good  many  people — especially  among 
the  landless,  lialf-hungry  people  of  Europe." 

The  fact  is,  whether  it  happens  to  be  agreeable  to 
you  or  not,  Brigham  Young  was  an  empire  builder — 
a  captain  of  industry,  an  organizer  of  prosperity.  His 
policies  proved  so  satisfactory  to  all  concerned,  in- 
cluding tlie  Treasurer  of  the  Church,  that  they  have 
been  continued  by  all  his  successors  down  to  the  present 
hour.  His  emblem  was  an  eagle  with  open  beak  and 
outstretclied  wings,  standing  on  a  beehive.  "Fit  em- 
blem," said  Jose})h  Cook;  "rapacity  preying  upon  in- 
dustry !"     Another  shallow  comment.     Josepli  Cook  is 


What  the  Government  Oxces  Its  People        205 

nearly  forgotten.  Brigliam  Young  looms  larger  with 
the  passing  of  the  years.  Whatever  his  errors — and 
the  attempt  to  establish  polygamy  under  the  American 
Flag  was  an  error,  now  admitted,  officially  reversed, 
and  practically  abandoned — 250,000  happ}'  and  inde- 
pendent homes  will  plead  for  him  in  trumpet  tones  at 
the  Throne  of  Grace. 

For  many  years  I  have  been  saying  that  Avhat  this 
country  needs  is  a  Mormon  Church — without  Mor- 
mons. I  mean  a  ])olicy  of  the  Federal  Government  that 
shall  do  for  all  our  people  in  the  future  what  the  Mor- 
mon Church  has  been  doing  for  its  own  people  during 
the  past  T-i  years.  It  has  not  financed  its  peo])le, 
except  temporarily,  and  in  a  very  limited  way.  What 
it  did  was  to  create  a  system  that  would  enable  the 
humblest  settler  to  proceed  in  the  light  of  the  highest 
available  intelligence.  This  intelligence,  in  the  early 
days,  consisted  of  the  shrewd  common  sense  of  the 
founder  and  the  very  able  men  by  whom  he  was  sur- 
rounded ;  many,  like  himself,  drawn  from  the  best  strain 
of  New  England  blood.  In  later  years,  this  intelligence 
took  on  a  scientific  cast  through  numerous  schools  and 
universities. 

Intelligent  leadership  was  supplemented  by  a  hu- 
mane and  statesmanlike  policy  of  development.  No 
settler  was  left  to  shift  for  himself,  nor  alloAved  to 
enter  upon  the  adventure  at  anything  less  tiian  the 
best  place  tiiat  could  be  found.  No  one  was  permitted 
to  exploit  him  in  the  price  of  land — (for  the  most  part 
they  were  able  to  obtain  free  public  land),  nor  in  the 
price  of  water  for  irrigation.     In  fact,  Utah  is  one  of 


206  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

the  few  States  where  no  one  ever  dreamed  of  trying 
to  make  merchandise  of  the  melting  snow  and  falHng 
rain.  Irrigation  was  a  purely  cooperative  undertaking 
from  the  first,  as  much  as  the  dikes  of  Holland.  It  was 
the  first  and  most  essential  provision  for  the  common 
welfare.  Men  shared  the  benefits  and  the  burdens 
equitably.  Out  of  this  initial  cooperation  grew  a  whole 
fabric  of  cooperative  industry. 

The  only  valid  claim  I  know  against  the  system  is 
that  it  required  its  beneficiaries,  so  far  as  the  law 
could  be  enforced,  to  pay  tithings,  or  ten  per  cent  of 
their  gross  returns,  to  the  Church.  It  always  seemed 
to  me  that  this  was  purely  a  personal  matter  between 
the  payers  and  the  payee,  and  that  the  loyalty  of  the 
vast  proportion  of  the  payers  might  fairly  be  accepted 
as  the  complete  vindication  of  the  payee.  At  any  rate, 
this  feature  is  only  incidental  to  the  system ;  it  signifies 
nothing  when  we  come  to  consider  the  application  to  the 
national  life  of  tliis  great  and  tried  principle  of  leader- 
ship by  the  Government  that  represents  us  all. 

Many  measures  providing  for  reclamation  and  settle- 
ment were  introduced  in  the  65th  and  66th  Congresses 
— several  of  them  in  response  to  Secretary  Lane's 
])ropaganda  for  Soldier  Settlement.  All  of  them 
frankly  recognize  the  obligation  of  National  leader- 
ship to  tiie  homcseekcr;  all  of  them  go  much  further 
in  extending  national  aid  than  any  i)rcvious  legisla- 
tion ;  all  of  them  contemplate  not  merely  the  reclama- 
tion of  the  land,  but  the  preparation  of  the  soil,  its 
subdivision  into  community  centers  and  outlying  farms, 
construction  of  roads  and  other  facilities  of  the  com- 


What   the  Government  Owes  Its  People        207 

inon  life,  including  community  buildings,  the  organiza- 
tion of  cooperative  systems  for  the  purchase  of  sup- 
plies, and  the  sale  of  products;  and  something  in  the 
way  of  social  and  civic  organizations.  Some  of  them 
provide  advances  of  capital  to  assist  settlers  in  making 
their  improvements ;  and  under  all  the  bills  it  would  be 
possible  for  the  Govei'nment  to  supply  supervising 
architects  for  private  as  well  as  public  buildings. 

These  advanced  ideas  of  social  legislation  are  chiefly 
to  be  credited  to  Dr.  Elwood  Mead,  an  American  engi- 
neer who  learned  his  lessons  from  practical  experience 
in  Australia,  and  from  European  travel  and  observa- 
tion; and  who  is  now  doing  great  work  for  the  people 
along  these  lines  in  California.  He  was  one  of  the 
first  of  the  experts  summoned  to  Washington  by  Sec- 
retary Lane. 

With  a  single  exception,  all  of  these  measures  call 
for  large  public  apj)ropriations,  ranging  from  $250,- 
000,000  to  $500,000,000 ;  but  none  of  them  propose  to 
give  a  dollar  of  this  money  as  largess  or  subsidy.  Every 
dollar  would  come  back  to  the  Treasury,  under  a  plan 
of  amortized  payments,  bearing  four  per  cent  interest 
and  running  over  a  long  series  of  years. 

The  only  constructive  measure  of  this  character  that 
calls  for  no  public  appropriation  whatever  is  known 
as  the  "Rural  Homes  Bill."  It  was  introduced  and 
championed  by  Utah's  great  Senator,  Reed  Smoot. 
Briefly,  it  makes  available  to  land-owners,  reclamation 
districts  and  homescekers  the  expert  ability  and  valu- 
able experience  of  the  United  States  Reclamation  Serv- 
ice, on  condition  that  all  such  projects  shall  be  financed 


208  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

by  private  capital,  under  contracts  that  furnish  abso- 
lute protection  to  the  Government.  The  supporters 
of  this  bill  told  the  whole  story  when  they  said : 

"Instead  of  asking  Uncle  Sam  to  carry  us  on  his 
back,  we  only  ask  him  to  show  us  the  way." 

The  Rural  Homes  Bill  brought  forth  several  inter- 
esting debates  in  the  Senate,  in  the  course  of  which  its 
sponsor  encountered  a  steady  fire  of  searching  ques- 
tions from  several  of  the  most  prominent  members  of 
that  body.  In  the  end,  it  passed  the  Senate  without 
a  dissenting  vote.  In  the  House,  it  went  to  the  Com- 
mittee on  the  Irrigation  of  Arid  Lands,  of  which  Hon. 
Moses  P.  Kinkaid,  of  Nebraska,  is  Chairman.  It  could 
not  have  fallen  into  better  hands,  although  its  broad 
national  purpose  might  have  justified  its  reference  to 
any  of  several  other  committees.  After  full  discus- 
sion the  Committee  reported  it  favorably,  even  enthus- 
iastically, to  the  House,  by  un-^nimous  action. 

It  came  before  that  body  for  debate  on  December 
21,  1920 — the  three-hundredth  anniversary  of  the 
Landing  of  the  Pilgrims — and  friends  of  the  measure 
had  hoped  it  might  pass  on  that  day.  While  prevailing 
by  a  good  majority  on  the  test  vote,  which  came  on 
the  adoption  of  the  special  rule  permitting  its  consid- 
eration, it  nevertheless  encountered  strenuous  opposi- 
tion— almost  entirely  from  the  South — and  so  went 
over  as  unfinished  business.  It  was  not  possible  to 
bring  it  up  again  before  the  expiration  of  the  66th 
Congress,  owing  to  the  crowded  condition  of  the  cal- 
endar. It  was  promptly  rcintrochued  in  the  67th  Con- 
gress, by  Senator  Smoot. 

The  essence  of  the  bill  is  National  leadership  in  the 
building  of  homes  for  tlic  American  people — that  qual- 


What   the  Government  Owes  Its  People        209 

ity  of  enlightened  leadership  detached  from  every 
thought  of  selfish  personal  interest,  which  we  have  seen 
to  he  essential  to  the  best  results.  The  moral,  intel- 
lectual and  scientific  resources  at  the  disposal  of  the 
Government  would  be  mobilized  in  the  service  of  the 
humblest  home. 

The  law  would  be  in  no  sense  mandatory  or  restric- 
tive. It  does  not  mean  that  private  enterprise  shall 
not  be  permitted  to  engage  in  various  forms  of  land 
development  in  the  future  as  in  the  past.  It  means 
merely  that  those  who  prefer  to  submit  their  project 
to  the  Government,  first  for  thorough  examination  of 
all  its  aspects,  then  for  actual  construction  and  organi- 
zation, may  have  the  opportunity  to  do  so,  upon  con- 
dition that  they  shall  provide  every  dollar  of  the  funds 
required  for  the  project — such  funds  to  be  deposited 
with  the  Treasurer  of  the  United  States,  and  paid  out 
upon  the  vouchers  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior. 
In  return  for  these  advantages  the  owners  of  the  proj- 
ect permit  the  Government  to  fix  the  price  of  the  land, 
thus  agreeing  to  accept  a  reasonable  limitation  upon 
the  profits  of  the  enterprise. 

The  Government  will  also  have  opportunity  to  ex- 
ercise wise  discretion  in  the  selection  of  settlers,  and 
to  establish  rules  and  regulations  that  will  tend  to 
prevent  speculation,  and  favor  those  seeking  permanent 
homes  in  good  faith.  It  is  to  be  assumed  that  if  the 
system  justifies  itself  in  practice,  it  will  gradually  be- 
come the  favored  method  of  land  development,  and 
prove  to  be  equally  in  the  interest  of  landowners,  in- 
vestors and  homebuilders.  The  cornerstone  of  the  sys- 
tem is  public  confidence  of  the  kind  that  is  rarely,  if 
ever,  enjoyed  by  purely  private  enterprise,   and  that 


210  City  Homes  on   Country  Lanes 

can  only  be  supplied  where  the  element  of  personal 
interest  is  displaced  in  favor  of  the  element  of  disin- 
terested and  consecrated  public  service. 

The  first  test  of  the  new  system  will  come  on  the 
side  of  financing.  Will  capital  invest  under  such  con- 
ditions.'' Capital  craves  security,  and  the  best  possible 
assurance  of  reasonable  profit.  When  these  two  ele- 
ments are  present,  the  real  capitalists — the  mass  of 
thrifty,  forehanded  people — neither  ask  nor  expect  ex- 
orbitant gains. 

To  the  extent  that  the  Government  commands  the 
confidence  of  the  investing  public,  capital  will  undoubt- 
edly respond  to  the  invitation  to  invest,  on  the  basis 
of  a  disinterested  and  scientific  report,  to  be  followed 
by  a  disinterested  and  scientific  administration.  The 
homebuilding  public  itself  is  able  to  finance  its  opera- 
tions in  large  part.  It  possesses  one  singular  ad- 
vantage, as  compared  with  any  other  public ;  that  is 
what  might  be  called  "the  citizenship  asset,"  or  the 
increment  in  value  instantly  added  to  land  by  the  pres- 
ence of  permanent  population,  and  the  improvements 
tliat  necessarily  accompany  it.  This  consideration  en- 
hances the  security,  both  in  amount  and  in  character, 
and  should  powerfully  assist  the  financing  of  such 
homebuilding  projects. 

The  Liberty-Bond  campaign  demonstrated  the  tre- 
mendous potentiality  of  the  public  as  investors.  Next 
to  tlic  need  of  sustaining  the  country  in  the  midst  of 
war,  perliaps  notliing  would  appeal  so  powerfully  to 
this  great  potential  capitalist  as  a  constructive  policy 
tlmt  aims  to  cover  America  with  independent  homes. 


CHAPTER  III 

THE    ORGANIZATION    OF    THE    GARDEN    CITY 

THE  value  of  the  public  service  described  in  the 
jircceding  chapter  will  become  instantly  obvious 
to  the  reader  who  visualizes  a  group  of  country- 
minded  people  dwelling  in  a  large  city,  but  yearning  for 
the  home-in-a-garden  experience. 

Who  is  to  select  the  site  for  their  garden  homes? 
Who  is  to  pass  upon  all  the  vital  elements  in  the  situa- 
tion— soil,  water  sup})ly,  drainage,  transportation  fa- 
cilities, price  of  land,  and  terms  of  payment?  Wlio  is 
to  plan,  construct  and  administer — at  least  in  their 
earlier  stages — the  various  ])ublic  utilities  required  in  a 
garden  city  that  is  intended  to  suj)ply  the  highest  con- 
ditions of  modern  life?  Who  is  to  organize  the  various 
activities  of  the  community,  social  and  commercial, 
during  the  formative  period  that  always  intervenes 
before  the  people  have  found  themselves? 

In  a  word,  where  sliall  leadership  be  found — the  kind 
of  leadership  that  will  connnand  the  confidence  of  both 
capital  and  homeseekers? 

Such  leadershi])  can  not  come  from  the  real-estate 
fraternity,  because  they  approach  the  problem  from 
the  wrong  angle.  The  real-estate  fraternity  has,  in- 
deed, done  a  mighty  work  of  national  upbuilding  in 
many  parts  of  the  country,  and  in  recent  years,  it  has 
tended  to  put  more  social  spirit  into  its  work.     It  has 

211 


212  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

been  virtually  our  only  reliance  in  widening  the  founda- 
tion of  urban  communities,  and  largely  so  in  the  ex- 
tension of  rural  development.  If  its  contribution  to 
these  results  were  suddenly  subtracted  from  the  sum 
of  national  greatness,  it  would  leave  many  gaping 
holes.  But  it  possesses  this  fatal  weakness — that  it 
is  animated  by  selfish  interest,  aiming  at  private  profit. 
It  is,  then,  primarily  the  expression  of  the  speculative 
instinct ;  and  only  secondarily  the  expression  of  the 
social  spirit. 

It  is  estimated  that  the  present  home  shortage  in  the 
United  States  reaches  the  astounding  figure  of  2,000,- 
000.  The  Senate  Committee  on  Reconstruction,  under 
the  able  and  devoted  leadership  of  Senator  Calder  of 
New  York,  estimates  that  $5,000,000,000  is  needed  to 
build  homes — a  situation  that  calls  for  a  higher  leader- 
ship than  the  real-estate  fraternity,  with  all  its  enter- 
prise and  constructive  imagination,  is  able  to  furnish. 

The  policy  embodied  in  Senator  Smoot's  "Rural 
Homes  Bill"  would  substitute  national  for  private  lead- 
ership in  this  great  field  of  effort,  while  still  preserving 
individual  initiative,  and  relying  on  private  capital  to 
furnish  the  sinews.  The  policy  is  expected  to  effect  a 
very  great  saving  in  tlic  cost  of  land,  largely  because  it 
can  readily  eliminate  most  of  the  selling  expense,  which 
usually  ranges  from  20  to  40  per  cent  in  the  case  of 
private  real-estate  operations.  This  is  possible  because 
the  people  so  readily  Follow  the  Flag,  as  has  been  shown 
over  and  over  again  in  the  opening  of  public  lands. 
In  a  recent  instance  where  the  land  was  free,  but  water 
rights  cost  about  a  hundred  dollars  an  acre,  such  an 
offering  l)y  tlic  Government  was  over-subscribed  nearly 


The  Organization  of  the  Garden  City         213 

two  hundred  times,  and  that  when  the  trend  away  from 
the  land  was  at  its  maximum.  Great  savings  could  also 
be  made  in  the  cost  of  material  and  construction  be- 
cause of  wholesale  operations  and  of  the  standardiza- 
tion that  could  be  effected  in  building  the  houses  and 
furnishing  the  various  equipment  for  garden  homes. 

Is  there  any  middle  ground  between  outright  private 
enterprise,  on  the  one  hand,  and  Government  leadership 
on  the  other?  The  best  answer  to  this  question  is  the 
extraordinary  experience  of  the  National  War  Garden 
Commission  sketched  in  a  previous  chapter.  In  that 
instance,  the  finest  public  spirit  leaped  to  meet  a  great 
emergency,  without  waiting  for  one  line  of  legislation, 
or  asking  a  penny  from  the  public  treasury.  It  proved 
in  the  highest  degree  efficient,  accomplishing  monu- 
mental results ;  but — it  ended  with  the  passing  of  the 
emergency ;  it  was  a  part  of  that  spiritual  exaltation 
that  enabled  the  Nation  to  perform  miracles  in  every 
department  of  its  life. 

It  might  not  be  impossible,  though  it  certainly  would 
be  difficult,  to  evolve  a  similar  spirit  and  organization 
to  meet  the  needs  of  peace.  In  fact,  there  is  a  wide  edu- 
cational sphere  for  such  a  work — a  sphere  that  must, 
and  doubtless  will,  be  occupied  by  forces  even  now  in 
operation.  These  are  the  forces  of  public  opinion. 
They  need  to  be  organized  and  widely  extended,  in 
order  that  the  Nation  may  be  aroused,  inspired,  in- 
structed ;  but  when  it  comes  to  leadership  in  the  actual 
building  of  the  Nation  on  the  soil,  why  should  not  the 
Government  itself  assume  the  responsibility.^  It  has 
all  the  facilities  in  its  various  departments,  wliicli  could 
be  readily  coordinated  into  an  effective  whole.     Above 


214  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

all,  it  possesses  the  confidence  of  the  people  in  a  degree 
that  no  private  organization,  however  enlightened  and 
unselfish,  can  ever  hope  to  attain. 

I  repeat :  It  is  not  money,  but  the  right  sort  of  leader- 
ship that  the  people  have  a  right  to  expect  from  their 
Government.  The  country-minded  masses  in  our  cities 
can  pay  for  garden  homes  about  as  readily  as  they  can 
pay  rent  on  city  apartments,  if  they  can  only  be  shown 
the  way.  It  would  be  not  only  kindly  and  humane,  but 
absolutely  constitutional,  for  the  Government  to  "pro- 
mote the  general  welfare"  by  this  means. 

The  scientific  organization  of  a  garden  city  involves 
not  merely  the  selection,  purchase  and  improvement  of 
the  site,  including  public  facilities  and  private  dwellings, 
but  the  setting  up  of  advanced  forms  of  social  and 
economic  life.  These  things  take  care  of  themselves 
after  a  while,  but  not  at  the  beginning.  Take  the 
matter  of  cooperation  in  buying  and  selling:  The 
argument  for  the  system  is  unanswerable.  It  is  pre- 
])o.sterous  to  have  a  number  of  little  competing  stores, 
dupbcating  all  the  ])rocesses  and  all  tlie  expense  in- 
volved in  distribution,  wlicn  one  fine  central  department 
store,  cotiperatively  owned  and  managed,  ought  to  serve 
the  eouununity  infinitely  better.  If  I  were  founding  a 
garden  city  in  ahnost  any  European  country,  I  should 
not  hesitate  to  ad()i)t  the  better  way;  nor  would  the 
people  consent  to  consider  anything  else.  Cooperation 
is  in  the  European  blood;  but  not  nearly  as  much  so  in 
the  American  l)l()()(i.  Many  of  us  have  had  experi- 
ence— and  "the  burnt    child  dreads  the  fire." 

The  establishment  of  a  successful  eoiiperative  enter- 
prise on  a  purely  democratic  basis  requires  fidelity  to 


The  Organization  of  the  Garden  City        215 

the  principle  on  tlic  part  of  tlie  membership,  and  a 
willingness  to  make  some  sacrifices  at  the  beginning. 
Tiie  temptation  to  turn  their  backs  on  their  own  store 
in  order  to  make  immediate  savings  is  often  too  strong 
to  be  resisted.  In  tlie  long  run  it  would  pay  better 
to  be  good  cooperators,  but  it  happens  that  many 
people  have  their  eyes  fixed  on  the  short  run,  and  if 
they  can  take  a  ten-dollar  bill  and  buy  eleven-dollars' 
worth  of  goods  at  a  bargain  sale,  it  is  hard  for  them 
to  realize  tiiat,  by  cri])])ling  their  own  store,  they  may 
be  losing  a  dollar  in  the  end  instead  of  making  one.  The 
problem  is  to  preserve  the  solidarity  of  the  conmiunity 
in  support  of  its  cooperative  institutions.  This  prol)- 
lem  is  likely  to  be  particularly  difficult  in  garden  cities 
lying  close  to  a  great  town,  where  the  people  go  back 
and  forth  every  day.  Under  these  circumstances  it  is 
incumbent  upon  the  responsible  founders  of  \.\\v  com- 
munity to  consider  very  carefully  whether  tiie  coiipera- 
tive  store,  sound  as  it  is  in  principle,  would  be  wise  in 
practice. 

Another  difficulty  is  the  dissension  which  frequently 
arises  over  management — both  as  to  methods  and  ])er- 
sonnel.  I  could  relate  instances  from  my  own  experi- 
ence which  would  seem  ludicrous,  if  they  hadn't  been 
so  tragic;  instances  where  successful  business  was 
established,  then  incontinently  wrecked  by  the  struggle 
of  the  factions  over  the  manager's  job,  which  paid  but 
a  pitiful  salary,  and  no  thanks. 

Another  prolific  cause  of  trouble  arises  from  the 
question  of  credits.  The  private  mercliant  can  extend 
or  refuse  credit  without  creating  serious  enmity,  but  it 
is  a  different  thing  in  the  case  of  the  cooperative  mer- 


216  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

chant.  The  man  who  has  been  refused  credit  is  very 
likely  to  raise  a  rebellion,  with  the  object  of  overthrow- 
ing the  management.  Where  the  choice  of  manager, 
in  the  first  instance,  is  left  to  the  town  meeting,  it  very 
often  happens  that  the  best  vote-getter  is  not  the  best 
business  man.  After  a  while  the  community  learns 
"Who's  Who,"  but  the  choice  is  usually  made  before 
there  has  been  opportunity  to  take  stock  of  the  new 
citizenship. 

For  all  these  reasons,  the  cooperative  store  should  be 
thoughtfully  considered  by  the  founders  before  it  is 
included  in  the  scheme  of  institutions.  The  truth  is 
that  the  plan  can  not  be  successful  in  the  best  and 
highest  sense,  unless  the  people  arc  animated  by  the 
true  spirit  of  cooperation.  Without  this  spirit,  the 
enterprise  is  bound  to  fail.  rcrha})s  it  ought  to  fail. 
The  game  is  not  worth  the  candle,  unless  the  spiritual 
value  of  brotherhood  is  realized ;  unless  men  and  women 
truly  prefer  to  work  for  and  with  each  other,  rather 
than  against  each  other. 

Twenty  years  ago,  I  should  have  urged  the  coopera- 
tive store  as  one  of  the  foundation  stones  of  the  garden 
city.  I  still  believe  it  eminently  desirable.  To  me,  it 
would  seem  pitiful  that  the  community  should  be  de- 
prived of  its  benefits,  both  spiritual  and  material;  but 
we  learn  by  experience,  and  my  experience  has  taught 
me  this:  Coiiperation  can  only  be  established  in  a  small 
American  community  by  means  of  the  strong  hand,  re- 
sorting to  strong  methods.  It  can  not  be  left  entirely 
to  voluntary  action ;  nor  can  the  management  be  safely 
left  wholly  to  j)opular  choice  at  the  beginning.  Utah 
made  a  success  of  cooperative  institutions,  because  they 


^P^-"-  :  ^Itfkf^. 


I  I       5  S     U 


lai 


''i^^- 


TUK    (.U(J1'KK.VTI\  !•;    UKl'.VKT.Mii.NT    SiOlJL 

Upper  picture  shows  such  a  store  at  Atascadcro,  California;  lower  picttirc.'iiilcrinr  view 

of  same  store 


The  Organization  of  the  Garden  City         217 

were  an  integral  part  of  a  great  social  system  taught  in 
the  schools  and  the  churches.  There  have  been  some 
recent  instances  of  success  in  new  communities  governed 
by  a  single  powerful  influence. 

I  should  suggest  three  precautions  in  the  organiza- 
tion of  cooperative  stores  for  garden  cities : 

1.  In  order  to  make  sure  that  everybody  shall  con- 
tribute to  the  necessary  capital,  and  in  the  same  pro- 
portion, the  price  of  the  stock  should  be  incorporated 
in  the  price  of  the  land  and  made  inseparable  therefrom. 
In  this  way,  adequate  capital  would  be  assured  from 
the  beginning,  and  the  danger  that  has  often  recurred 
— the  danger  that  many  would  seek  to  enjoy  the 
l)encfits  of  the  enterprise  witliout  sharing  its  risks  or 
burdens — would  be  avoided. 

2.  Provision  should  be  made  for  one  commodious  and 
attractive  department  store,  which  might  well  have  ac- 
commodations for  bank  and  postoffice,  and  restrictions 
placed  in  the  deeds  preventing  the  sale  or  use  of  any 
other  property  for  business  purposes — this,  as  a  means 
of  preventing  the  growth  of  mushroom  competition 
which  is  likely  to  do  considerable  harm  and  very  little 
good. 

3.  For  a  period  of  three  to  five  years  sole  manage- 
ment should  be  vested  in  the  parent  corporation,  or  in 
the  Government  agency  having  charge  of  the  enterprise 
when  the  principle  of  national  leadership  brcomes  ef- 
fective. 

With  these  precautions,  there  would  be  reasonable 
assurance  of  a  store  in  which  every  landowner  would 
be  a  partner ;  mushroom  competition,  with  its  unsightly 
buildings,   would   be   avoided ;   and   there  would   be  no 


218  City  Homes  on   Country  Lanes 

occasion  for  internecine  struggles  over  the  manage- 
ment until  the  pioneer  period  had  been  safely  passed 
and  the  enterprise  become  firmly  established.  Under 
these  conditions  the  people  would  get  the  benefits  of 
cooperation  without  its  dangers  and  diawbacks,  though 
they  would  do  so  at  the  cost  of  accepting  a  certain 
amount  of  autocracy.  But  without  the  assurance  of 
sufficient  capital  and  good  management,  cooperative  en- 
terprises are  most  hazardous  undertakings. 

The  organization  of  a  beautiful  social  life,  as  out- 
lined in  a  previous  chapter,  presents  few  difficulties. 
Even  here,  however,  the  founders  should  supply  leader- 
ship until  the  new  institutions  have  taken  root  and 
begun  to  flourish. 

Another  provision  of  great  importance  in  such  a  com- 
munity is  the  demonstration  place.  This  should  take 
the  form  of  tlie  ideal  home-in-a-garden,  brought  to  its 
fullest  development  at  the  earliest  possible  time.  In- 
deed, it  ought  to  be  one  of  the  very  earliest  steps  in  the 
constinictioii  programme,  if  it  is  to  have  the  highest  use- 
fulness. Men  have  a  picture  in  their  minds,  which  they 
have,  perhaps,  reduced  to  paper,  but  they  must  see  the 
living  thing  cstal)lished  on  the  earth  in  order  to  compre- 
hend it  In  its  perfection  and  its  manifold  variety.  The 
making  of  such  a  demonstration  place  naturally  requires 
technical  knowledge,  experience,  and  devotion  to  the 
ideals  of  the  garden  home.  There  are  a  number  of 
colonies  in  California  which,  if  they  have  accomplished 
nothing  else,  have  born  the  nurseries  of  such  skill,  ex- 
perience and  spirit,  and  they  may  now  be  drawn  upon 
to  y)laiit  the  seeds  of  the  New  Earth  throughout  America 
and  tlie  world. 


CHAPTER  IV 

THE  FARM  CITY  AND  THE  GARDEN  CITY 

But  since  we  live  in  an  epoch  of  chaiifjc,  and,  too,  probably 
of  revolution,  and  tlioughts  not  to  be  put  aside  are  in  the  minds 
of  all  men  ca])able  of  tiioufrht,  I  am  oljligcd  to  alfirni  the  one 
principle  which  can  and  in  the  eiul  will  close  all  epociis  of  revo- 
lution— that  each  man  shall  possess  the  ground  tliat  he  can  use, 
and   no  more.  John   Riutkin. 

THE   garden   city   is,   of   course,  designed   chiefly 
for  city  workers  with  country  minds.     The  prin- 
ciples of  the  garden  home  are,  however,  capahle 
of  apphcation  to  larger  units  within  reasonable  limita- 
tions. 

The  Farm  City  is  a  term  now  coming  into  use  to 
describe  a  new  form  of  rural  life  in  which  much  emphasis 
is  given  to  the  social  side.  As  the  people  of  the  garden 
city  will  depend  for  cash  income  cliiefly,  if  not  wholly, 
upon  their  business  or  employment  in  the  big  town,  so 
the  people  of  the  Farm  City  will  depend  entirely  upon 
the  land.  Even  so,  the  unit  of  ownership  in  the  Farm 
City  should  be  nmch  smaller  than  that  now  generally 
prevailing  in  the  agricultural  industry.  Methods  of 
cultivation  should  be  higher  and  more  intensive.  A 
system  of  agriculture  suited  to  the  climate  and  locality 
should  be  carefully  worked  out  in  advance.  There  would 
be  the  same  need  for  demonstration  and  instruction  as 
in  a  garden  city,  and  far  greater  need  of  organized 
buying   and   selling.      Civic   centers,  with   well-planned 

219 


220  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

social  and  intellectual  life,  would  be  feasible  in  the  Farm 
City,  and  should  also  be  included  in  the  founders'  plan. 
Finally,  the  Farm  City  should  not  be  located  at  any 
great  distance  from  an  urban  center.  Naturally,  it 
would  be  beyond  the  district  feasible  for  garden  cities 
whose  inhabitants  go  back  and  forth  to  town  each  day. 

To  speak  in  more  concrete  terms,  one  might  say  that 
a  circle  of  from  ten  to  fifteen  miles  around  a  great  city 
would  mark  the  logical  limitations  of  the  garden-city 
area,  at  least  until  means  of  transit  become  cheaper  and 
quicker ;  while  a  circle  of  from  forty  to  fifty  miles  would 
mark  out  the  logical  limitations  of  the  Farm  City  area. 
Abundant  land  can  be  had  for  both  purposes  almost 
everywhere  within  these  limitations ;  hence,  it  is  un- 
necessary to  go  farther. 

The  size  of  the  holding  under  the  Farm-City  plan  is 
a  matter  only  to  be  determined  by  experience.  Plainly 
it  should  not  be  a  rigid  unit,  since  men  differ  so  widely 
in  experience,  taste,  amount  of  capital,  and  size  of 
family.  The  best  unit  would  be  so  much  land  as  each 
family  could  use  to  the  best  advantage  without  hiring 
help.  This  rule  could  not  be  literally  enforced  at  all 
seasons,  unless,  j)erhai)s,  by  exchange  of  labor  among 
neighbors ;  l)ut  it  is  a  sound  ideal,  and  should  be  ap- 
I)roximated  as  nearly  as  possible.  The  country  needs — 
not  more  tenants  and  hired-men,  but  more  self-employ- 
ing proprietors. 

When  a  Farm  City  is  near  enough  to  a  large  urban 
center,  with  good  transportation  facilities,  a  very  small 
holding  will  suffice  to  yield  a  good  living  to  an  indus- 
trious family.  Tliis  is  particularly  true  when  poultry 
or  truck  gardening,  or  a  combination  of  both,  is  the 


The  Farm  City  mid  the  Garden  City        221 

reliance  for  cash  income.  So  low  as  from  two  to  five 
acres  will  support  a  family  in  comfortable  circum- 
stances,— if  they  know  how  to  do  it.  This  unit  is  com- 
mon in  Holland,  Denmark,  and  France.  There  are 
many  such  "pocket-handkerchief"  farms  in  Utah  and 
California;  and  there  are  "one-acre  farmers"  who  have 
done  well.  Usually  they  specialize  on  a  very  restricted 
line  of  products  for  market,  while  raising  a  variety  of 
things  for  home  consumption. 

Prince  Kropotkin  has  written  convincingly  along 
this  line,  as  have  others.  But  Bolton  Hall,  with  his 
"Three  Acres  and  Liberty"  and  "A  Little  Land  and  a 
Living,"  is  the  thinker  and  teacher  to  whom  I  am  most 
deeply  indebted  for  faith  and  inspiration  in  this  line 
of  work.  Many  a  smiling  garden,  and  many  a  humble 
roof,  trace  back  to  the  study  of  this  scholarly  man 
and  lover  of  the  race.  How  far  his  influence  has  gone 
no  man  can  say. 

It  is  quite  possible,  however,  to  preserve  nearly  all 
the  attractive  features  of  the  home-in-a-garden  system, 
where  the  holding  reaches  from  ten  to  forty  acres;  and 
it  seems  probable  that  these  are  the  figures  which  will 
be  most  generally  adopted,  in  the  United  States  at 
least,  during  the  next  decade.  But  that  will  by  no 
means  mark  the  end  of  the  evolution  of  forms  of  coun- 
try life  Avhicii  aim  to  raise  the  standard  of  livinp-  to  the 
highest  levels. 

It  is  probable  that  future  development  will  proceed 
along  two  well-marked  and  divergent  lines.  In  one  line 
the  social  and  spiritual  considerations  will  be  sub- 
ordinated to  the  production  of  wealth.  In  the  other, 
the  production  of  wealth,  as  represented  by  large  sur- 


222  City  Homes  on   Country  Lanes 

plus  crops  for  world  markets,  will  be  subordinated  to 
the  higher  good  of  humanity.  The  former  will  require 
the  use  of  broad  acres,  labor-saving  machinery,  and 
great  numbers  of  hired  hands ;  for  it  will  be  industrial 
farming  pure  and  simple.  The  latter  will  be  the  home- 
in-a-garden  with  organized  garden  and  farm  cities. 
Organization  will  begin  with  wholesale  purchase  and  im- 
provement of  land,  going  on  through  all  departments  of 
their  social  and  economic  life,  and  reach  upward  to  the 
spiritual  heights. 

The  determining  factor  will  be  that  of  capital  re- 
quirement. While  large  capital  will  be  essential  to  the 
industrial  farm,  comparatively  little  capital  will  suffice 
for  the  garden  home  or  farm. 

The  development  clearl}'  foreshadowed  by  the  in- 
exorable law  of  social  and  economic  growth  may  be 
stated  thus :  "Big  farms  bigger ;  small  farms  smaller." 

While  I  liave  quite  deliberately  refrained  from  dis- 
cussing the  vexed  question  of  land  tenure  in  these  pages, 
— a  question  that  will  never  seriously  arise  until  men 
have  a  far  keener  appreciation  of  the  earth  as  the 
source  of  all  material  good  than  now  obtains,  at  least 
in  the  United  States- — it  ought  to  be  said  that  the  gen- 
uine home-builder,  and  not  the  speculator,  is  the  man 
who  deserves  consideration  in  the  shaping  of  our  social 
policies.  In  California,  where  these  policies  are  fur- 
thest advanced,  the  settler  in  state  colonics  is  required 
to  live  on  his  land  ten  years;  if  he  desires  to  sell  and 
move  away  within  that  period,  he  must  obtain  written 
consent  of  the  State  Board  of  Land  Settlement.  This 
will  be  given  when  circumstances  warrant,  but  if  the 
settler  goes,  he  is  not  permitted  to  carry  away  that  por- 


The  Farm  Cit/j  and  the  Garden  Cif/j         2^3 

tion  of  "unearned  increment"  in  his  land  created  by  tlie 
labor  and  presence  of  the  entire  community. 

An  interestint^  case  arose  (|uite  early  in  the  history 
of  the  movement.  At  the  end  of  the  first  year  a  settler 
applied  for  })ermission  to  sell.  It  was  found  that  the 
price  he  would  receive  represented  a  profit  of  .$8,()()() 
on  his  investment.  He  was  told  that  this  proiit  was 
due,  in  large  part,  not  to  his  own  exertions,  but  to  the 
achievement  wrought  out  by  a  hundred  families,  with  all 
their  private  and  public  improvements.  He  was  per- 
mitted to  sell  at  a  price  that  returned  his  entire  invest- 
ment, together  with  6  j>er  cent  interest  and  .$2, ()()()  more 
as  compensation  for  his  year's  work.  The  remainder 
of  the  profit  was  given  to  the  community  that  had 
rightfully  earned  it  and  could  apply  it  to  useful  pur- 
poses for  the  common  benefit. 

Such  a  system  does  no  injustice  to  the  man  who  is 
working  in  good  faith  to  build  a  home  on  the  land.  The 
other  kind  have  no  moral  right  to  speculate  at  the  ex- 
pense of  their  fellows. 


PART   THREE 

Mechanics  of  the  Garden  Home 


CHAPTER    I^ 


MAKING    THE    SOIL    OVER 


T 


I  HE  home  gardener  must  use  the  soil  he  has,  but 
he  can  improve  it  if  it  is  poor,  and  he  must  do 
this  as  far  as  possible.  Stable  manure  will  lielp 
even  tlie  richest  soil,  and  you  are  not  likely  to  use  too 
much  of  it.  During  a  single  season  ]^rofessional  gar- 
deners apply  as  much  as  six  inches  of  it.  Coarse  manure 
should  be  applied  and  tlioroughly  plowed  or  spaded 
under  in  tlie  falL  In  the  spring,  fine,  rotted  manure  is 
applied,  just  before  ph)wing,  or  spading,  preceding  the 
planting  of  any  croji.  If  tlie  ground  is  fairly  rich,  and 
well-rotted  manure  is  scarce,  the  manure  may  be  scat- 
tered in  the  row  only,  and  should  be  mixed  into  the  soil 
before  the  planting  of  seed. 

Loam  is  the  best  garden  soil.  Sand,  with  manure, 
gives  good  results.  Clay  is  hardest  to  work,  but  is 
greatly  improved  by  well-rotted  manure  and  vegetable 
matter,  called  humus.  These  should  be  well  worked  in 
with  hoe  and  rake.  Sifted  coal  ashes,  entirely  free  from 
clinkers,  will  help  loosen  up  clay  when  mixed  into  it, 
but  will  not  remove  an  acid  condition  nor  increased 
fertility. 

*  This  chapter,  as  well  as  the  two  followiiiir,  aro  taken  by  Jicr- 
missioii,  from  iiistruetions  prc])arecl  for  the  National  War  Garden 
Commission,  by  twenty-two  leadinfr  American  experts.  The 
Planting  Table,  and  tlie  page  entitled  "Arrangement  of  Season's 
Crops,"  are  from  the  same  eminent  source. 

227 


228  City  Homes  on   Country  Lanes 

Many  gardeners  experience  difficulty  in  obtaining 
supplies  of  well-rotted  manure.  In  such  cases,  com- 
mercial fertilizers  should  be  used.  Even  when  stable 
manure  has  been  secured  and  worked  into  the  soil,  it 
is  well  to  supplement  with  moderate  quantities  of  quick- 
acting  fertilizer,  in  order  to  give  plants  an  early  start, 
and  hasten  maturity. 

It  is  safest  to  rely  upon  the  ready-mixed  fertilizers, 
usually  obtainable  at  seed  and  hardware  stores.  Sev- 
eral specially  prepared  mixtures  in  convenient  packages 
are  now  on  the  market.  For  large  areas  100  to  200- 
pound  bags  may  be  obtained.  A  mixture  containing 
from  3  to  4  per  cent  nitrogen,  and  from  8  to  10  per 
cent  phosphoric  acid  is  about  right  for  the  average  gar- 
den. Your  dealer  will  inform  you  on  this  point.  If  the 
fertilizer  also  contains  potash,  so  much  the  better. 

Where  no  manure  is  used  the  fertilizer  should  be 
spread  over  the  surface  of  the  finely  prepared  seed-bed 
at  the  rate  of  5  pounds  for  a  plot  10-fect  square,  just 
before  planting.  Tlie  surface  soil  sliould  tlien  be  thor- 
oughly raked,  so  as  to  mix  tlic  fertilizer  evenly  to  a 
de})th  of  2  inches.  Never  place  seeds  or  transplanted 
plants  in  direct  contact  with  fertilizer.  Thorough  mix- 
ing of  the  fertilizer  with  the  soil  is  essential  to  prevent 
injury  to  seed  or  roots,  Wliere  manure  has  been  worked 
into  the  soil,  reduce  the  fertilizer  application  one-half. 

Tomatoes,  egg-plants,  spinach,  and  some  other  crops 
requiring  long  growing  seasons,  arc  materially  benefited 
by  a  second  application  of  fertilizer  when  iialf  grown. 
Side  dressings  of  this  kind  shouhl  l)e  scattered  between 
the  rows  at  the  rate  of  four  ounces  (one-half  pint)  to 
ten  feet  of  row,  when  rows  are  spaced  two  feet  apart, 


Making  the  Soil  Over  229 

and  pro  rata  for  rows  spaced  a  greater  or  lesser  dis- 
tance. To  insure  even  distribution,  mix  the  fertilizer 
with  fine,  dry  earth  just  before  spreading. 

Compost  is  especially  desirable  when  quick  growth  is 
wanted.  Compost  is  thoroughly  rotted  manure  or  or- 
ganic matter.  It  sliould  be  prepared  from  six  to  twelve 
months  before  being  used,  by  putting  the  manure  and 
other  materials  in  piles  having  perpendicular  sides  and 
flat  tops.  These  piles  are  usually  from  two  to  four 
feet  high  and  six  to  eight  feet  long. 

Besides  the  usual  waste  of  garden  rubbish,  there  is  a 
large  waste  of  leaves,  weeds,  and  the  skins  and  other 
unused  portions  of  fruits  and  vegetables.  These  should 
all  be  thrown  on  the  compost  pile  to  decay  for  use  on  the 
garden  next  spring.  Destroy  all  plants  which  are  dis- 
eased. The  compost  pile  should  be  built  up  in  alternate 
layers  of  vegetable  refuse  a  foot  thick,  and  earth  an 
inch  or  more  thick.  The  earth  helps  to  rot  the  vegetable 
matter,  when  mixed  with  it.  The  top  of  the  pile  should 
be  left  flat,  in  order  that  the  rain  may  enter  and  help 
in  the  process  of  decay. 

If  the  pile  can  be  forked  over  once  a  month  when  not 
frozen  and  the  contents  well  mixed  together,  it  will  de- 
cay quite  rapidly  and  be  in  good  usable  condition  in  the 
spring.  The  compost  may  be  either  spread  over  the 
garden  and  spread  under,  or  it  may  l)e  scattered  in  the 
rows  before  the  seed  are  sown.  This  is,  of  course,  not 
as  rich  as  stable  manure,  but  it  is  a  good  substitute. 
Compost  is  also  used  as  a  top  dressing  during  the  grow- 
ing season,  for  hastening  growth. 

In  the  cities  and  towns  tons  of  leaves  are  burned  every 
fall.    This  is  a  loss  which  ought  to  be  prevented.    These 


230  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

leaves,  properly  composted  with  other  vegetable  waste 
and  earth,  would  be  worth  hundreds  of  dollars  to  the 
gardens  next  spring. 

In  planning  a  permanent  garden  a  space  should  be 
reserved  near  the  hotbed,  or  seed  bed,  and  in  this  space 
should  be  piled,  as  soon  as  pulled,  all  plants  which  are 
free  from  disease  and  insects.  This  applies  to  all  vege- 
tables, and  especially  to  peas  and  beans,  as  these  belong 
to  a  group  of  plants  which  take  nitrogen  from  the  air 
during  growth,  and  store  it  in  their  roots.  When  these 
plants  are  decayed  they  will  return  to  the  soil,  not  only 
much  of  the  plant-food  taken  from  it  during  their 
growth,  but  additional  nitrogen  as  well.  Nitrogen  in 
the  soil  is  necessary  for  satisfactory  leaf  growth.  The 
material  so  composed  should  be  allowed  to  decay 
throughout  the  winter,  and  when  needed  should  be  used 
according  to  the  instructions  given  for  using  compost. 

Prepared  sheep  manure,  when  procurable  at  reason- 
;il)lc  price,  is  possibly  the  safest  concentrated  fertilizer. 
It  sliould  be  used  in  small  quantities,  rather  than  spread 
broadcast.  Scatter  it  along  the  row  before  seed  is 
sown;  or,  ap})Iy  by  mixing  it  with  water  in  a  pail  stir- 
ring the  mixture  to  the  consistency  of  thin  mush,  and 
pour  it  along  the  rows  of  the  plants. 

Green  manure  is  useful  as  a  fertilizer.  It  consists 
of  green  ])hiiits  turned  under  by  plowing  or  spading. 
Rye  is  the  most  satisfactory  for  this  purpose.  If 
phinted  in  .July  or  August,  the  crop  may  be  turned  un- 
der ill  tlie  spring.  When  not  turned  under  until  spring, 
tlic  grout li  will  prevent  the  leaching  of  soluble  plant 
food,  or  the  washing  away  of  rich  soil. 

In  sowing  rye  for  this  purpose,  use  at  the  rate  of  one 


Making  the  Soil  Over  231 

pound  of  seed  to  ;i  strip  of  ground  50  feet  long  by  10 
feet  wide.  If  tlie  ground  is  rough  or  luird,  it  should 
be  cultivated  .just  l)efoiT  the  seed  is  sown  and  then  cul- 
tivated again  to  cover  the  seed.  Sow  the  seed  between 
the  rows  of  crops  not  yet  gatliered.  Rye  is  very  hardy 
and  will  sprout,  even  though  there  is  frost  nearly  every 
night.  At  a  cost  of  about  five  cents  for  a  pound  of 
seed,  a  garden  of  10x50  feet  can  thus  be  treated  to  an 
application  of  green  manure.  The  green  rye  plants 
soon  decay  when  turned  under,  and  answer  the  same 
purpose  as  a  light  dressing  of  manure. 

Green  manure,  however,  should  not  be  relied  u])on  to 
do  the  work  of  stable  manure,  as  it  docs  not  provide 
phosphorus  or  potassium. 

Land  which  has  long  been  unused,  or  land  in  lawns, 
is  apt  to  be  sour.  To  remedy  this  condition,  apply, 
evenly,  one  pound  of  air-slaked  lime,  or  two  pounds  of 
ground  limestone,  to  every  30  square-feet.  The  lime 
should  be  apph'ed  and  raked  in  to  a  depth  of  two  inches, 
when  the  seed  bed  is  being  prepared  in  the  spring.  In- 
stead of  lime,  two  pounds  of  unleached  wood-ashes  may 
be  used.  Do  not  apply  lime  at  the  same  time  as  manure 
or  mixed  fertilizers,  as  it  will  cause  loss  of  nitrogen. 

As  an  addition  to  soil,  lime  is  of  considerable  value, 
besides  correcting  acidity,  it  changes  the  physical 
structure  of  the  soil.  One  of  the  elements  of  lime  is 
calcium,  which  is  required  for  plant  growth. 

Small  livestock  and  the  garden  work  nicely  together. 
The  garden  feeds  the  chickens  with  green  stuff;  the 
chickens  feed  the  garden  with  natural  fertilizer  of  a 
superior  brand.  The  same  is  true  of  squabs,  rabbits 
and  goats. 


CHAPTER    II 

HOW   TO   HAVE   A   GOOD    GARDEN 

HAVE  a  plan  for  your  garden — drawn  to  scale 
on  paper — before  you  start,  to  give  proper 
order  in  planting  and  to  enable  you  to  buy  the 
right  amount  of  seeds  in  advance  while  the  selection  is 
good. 

Put  in  one  general  group  small  plants  like  beets, 
onions,  lettuce,  carrots,  radishes  and  parsnips.  In  an- 
other general  group  put  larger  plants  like  corn,  to- 
matoes and  potatoes.  Spreading  ground-vines,  like 
melons  and  cucumbers,  wliich  need  wider  spacing,  should 
be  put  in  another  general  group.  The  reason  for  this 
grouping  is  that  the  various  plants  in  a  group  need 
similar  general  treatment  as  well  as  spacing. 

In  making  a  plan,  provide  space  in  which  to  enter 
costs  and  yield  of  the  various  crops.  This  will  give  you 
a  complete  record  which  will  be  useful  another  year. 
Another  helpful  use  of  the  plan  is  that  it  will  guide 
you  in  the  rotation  of  next  year's  crops.  For  this  pur- 
pose save  your  plan  for  next  season. 

In  the  location  of  a  garden  it  is  not  always  possible 
to  choo.se  conditions  as  to  sunlight.  It  is  important, 
therefore,  that  in  the  arrangement  of  the  varieties  of 
vegetables  which  are  to  be  planted,  due  care  should  be 
given  to  ])roviding  the  greatest  exposure  to  the  sun  for 
those  crops  wiiich  need  it  most.     Those  plants  which 

232 


How  to  Have  a  Good  Garden  233 

must  ripen  their  fruit,  such  as  tomatoes  and  c'^g-])lant, 
require  the  greatest  amount  of  sunshine,  while  lettuce, 
spinach,  kale  and  other  leaf  crops,  require  relatively 
less.  Foliage  crops  must  have  at  least  three  hours  of 
sunlight  a  day,  and  plants  which  ripen  fruits  at  least 
five  hours  a  day.    This  is  important. 

It  is  important  to  rememher  that  plant  diseases  and 
insects  are  apt  to  thrive  in  a  spot  in  which  they  have 
become  established.  For  this  reason,  those  who  make 
gardens  should  take  care  not  to  place  the  individual 
crops  in  the  spot  in  which  the  same  crops  grew  the  year 
before.  Varying  tiic  arrangement  of  the  garden  in  this 
way  will  reduce  the  danger  from  disease  and  insects. 
The  same  vegetables  in  the  same  place  each  year  exhaust 
certain  food  elements,  and  reduced  yields  are  sure  to 
result. 

For  early  planting  a  hotbed  may  be  made,  located  in 
a  slieltered  spot  with  soutlicrn  exposure,  where  it  will 
receive  a  generous  supply  of  sun.  A  width  of  6  feet  is 
desirable,  and  the  lengtii  should  be  such  as  to  enable 
the  use  of  standard  .'3x0  ft.,  hotbed  sash.  A  simple 
i)ox-like  frame,  12  inches  iiigh  in  the  rear,  and  8  inches 
liigh  in  front  will  hold  the  sash,  and  give  a  better  angle 
for  the  rays  of  the  sun. 

Dig  a  pit  ll/ij  to  2  feet  deep,  the  size  of  the  sash- 
frame  to  be  used.  Line  the  sides  of  this  with  boards 
or  planks,  brick  or  concrete,  and  make  a  tile  drain,  or 
place  stones  on  the  bottom  of  the  pit  to  carry  off  sur- 
plus water.  This  pit  is  to  be  filled  with  fresh  horse 
manure.  The  manure  will  require  special  treatment  be- 
fore being  placed  in  the  pit.  It  should  be  thrown  into  a 
pile  and  allowed  to  heat.     When  it  has  heated  and  is 


234  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

steaming,  fork  it  over  into  a  new  pile,  throwing  the  out- 
side material  into  the  center.  When  the  new  pile  has 
become  well  heated,  fork  the  material  once  more  into  a 
new  pile.  This  will  require  from  ten  days  to  two  weeks, 
and  is  important,  in  that  it  gets  rid  of  excessive  heat. 
After  this  process,  fill  the  pit  with  the  manure,  packed 
down  firmly  and  evenly,  level  with  the  surface  of  the 
surrounding  earth.  On  top  of  this  manure  make  a 
covering  of  good  garden  loam  three  or  four  inches  deep. 

When  the  sash  has  been  put  in  place,  the  manure 
will  generate  heat,  in  addition  to  the  heat  that  will  be 
derived  from  the  sun.  After  this  heat  has  reached  its 
highest  point  and  dropped  back  to  between  80  and  90 
degrees  F.  the  seed  should  be  planted.  Use  the  best  seed 
obtainable.  Until  the  seed  germinates,  the  hotbed 
should  be  kept  shaded  to  hold  moisture.  This  can  be 
done  by  spreading  over  the  sash  strips  of  old  carpet, 
heavy  cloth,  or  newspapers.  After  germination,  strong 
light  will  be  needed.  The  plants  must  be  watered  each 
morning  on  clear  days,  and  the  sash  left  partially  open 
for  ventilation,  as  it  is  necessary  to  dry  the  foliage  to 
prevent  mildew. 

Proper  ventilation  is  essential  to  the  production  of 
strong,  healthy  plants.  Tlie  sash  should  be  raised 
during  the  warmest  part  of  the  day  on  the  side  opposite 
the  direction  from  which  the  wind  is  blowing.  By  open- 
ing it  in  this  way  instead  of  facing  the  wind,  tlie  hotbed 
receives  fresh  air  without  receiving  direct  draft.  On 
cold  days,  raise  the  sash  slightly  three  or  four  times  a 
day  for  a  few  minutes  only.  Iti  severe  weather,  cover 
the  beds  witii  mats,  straw,  or  manure,  to  keep  in  as  much 
heat  as  possible.  About  two  weeks  before  transplanting 
time    the   sash    should    be    removed    during   the   day    to 


Hoxv  to  Have  a  Good  Garden  235 

"harden"  the  phmts.  While  in  the  hotbed  the  plants 
should  be  thoroughly  watered,  but  the  water  should  not 
reach  the  manure  underneath.  Early  morning  is  the 
best  time  for  watering,  so  the  plants  will  be  dried  before 
night. 

An  outdoor  hotbed  of  this  character  should  be  started 
in  the  early  spring — February  or  March. 

A  cold  frame  is  useful  for  hardening  plants  which 
have  been  started  in  the  hotbed.  It  is  built  like  a  hot- 
bed, but  without  the  pit  or  manure.  It  is  built  on  the 
surface  of  the  ground.  Good  rich  soil  should  be  used, 
and  the  soil  kept  slightly  moist.  In  mild  climates  the 
cold  frame  may  be  used  instead  of  a  hotbed  for  starting 
plants.  It  is  also  used  in  the  fall  and  early  winter  for 
growing  lettuce,  radishes,  carrots,  parsley,  etc. 

Not  many  implements  are  required  for  home  garden- 
ing. The  essentials  are  a  spade  or  a  garden  fork,  a  hoe, 
a  rake  with  steel  teeth,  a  trowel,  a  dibble,  or  pointed 
stick,  and  a  line  such  as  is  used  by  masons,  or  a  piece 
of  common  string  or  cord  to  stretch  between  two  stakes 
for  marking  oil'  rows.  In  the  case  of  hard-packed  earth 
a  pick  is  useful  for  digging.  For  watering,  a  rubber- 
hose  is  needed  where  pipe  connections  are  available. 
Lacking  this  equipment,  a  watering-pot  should  be  pro- 
vided. A  hand-cultivator  or  wheel  hoe  is  useful,  espe- 
cially in  a  large  garden,  and  saves  much  time  and  labor 
in  turning  small  furrows.  With  simply  attachments  it 
is  used  for  stirring  the  soil  and  the  removal  of  weeds. 
The  garden  tractor  is  the  latest  implement,  and  seems 
likely  to  go  into  very  general  use.  It  costs  about  $250, 
but  several  families  might  coiijjerate  in  its  purchase  and 
use. 

In  laying  out  a  new  garden  city,  it  might  be  feasible 


236  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

to  arrange  the  gardens  in  the  rear  of  the  houses  in  each 
block,  so  that  not  only  the  plowing  and  harrowing,  but 
planting  and  cultivation — even  some  of  the  harvesting, 
could  be  done  by  machinery.  This  would  materially  re- 
duce the  amount  of  hand  labor  to  be  done.  There  would 
still  remain  the  berries,  fruits,  more  delicate  vegetables, 
flowers,  lawns  and  Hvestock  to  be  cared  for  by  individual 
hand  labor. 

ARRANGEMENT  OF   SEASON'S   CROPS 

Peas,  followed  by  late  Tomatoes 

Peas,  followed  by  Celery 

Onion   Sets,   followed  by   Turnips 

Corn,   followed   by   Spinach 

Beans  (bush)  followed  by  Beets 

Beets,  i/o  row;  Carrots,  Vs  row,  followed  by  Corn 

Turnips,  followed  by  liush  Beans 

Potatoes,  followed  by  Spinach 

Spinach,   followed   by    Potatoes 

Cabbage,  with  Lettuce  and  Radishes  between,  followed  by  Carrots 

Beans,  Bush  Lima 

Chard,  %   row;   Parsley,   14    row 

Parsnips,  34  row   (radishes  to  mark  row);  Salsify,  %   row 

Corn,   followed   by   Kohlrabi,   V2   row;  Cauliflower,   1/2   row 

Peas,   followed  by   Corn 

Beans,  Bush  Lima 

Early  Potatoes,  followed  by  late  Cabbage 

Early  Tomatoes 

Peppers,  Vi  row;  Potatoes,  Okra  or  Egg-plant,  %  row 

Potatoes 

Potatoes 

Pole  Lima  Beans 

Pole   Beans 

Corn 

Corn 

Corn 

Cucumbers  Squash  Squash  Musk- 

(bush  (winter)  melon 

crook-neck) 

Rows  arc  ^0  indu-s   a])art.     If  soil   is  very    fertile,   rows  may   be 
closer. 


How  to  Have  a  Good  Garden  237 

Planting  was  begun  at  hotbed  end  of  garden  and  plantings  were 
made  a  few  days  apart,  to  insure  a  constant  supply  of  vege- 
tables. 

Planting  table  on  page  266. 


Mushroom  culture  is  an  art  in  itself,  and  an  art  un- 
known to  many  scientific  gardeners.  The  late  Adrian 
Bussiere  was  a  master  of  the  art,  the  son  and  grandson 
of  famous  Parisian  growers.  He  once  reduced  his 
knowledge  and  experience  to  a  brief  formula  as  follows : 

Mushroom  culture  is  not  as  difficult  as  many  people 
seem  to  believe;  neither  is  there  anything  mysterious 
about  it ;  but,  for  good  results,  the  few  main  points  to 
be  given  in  this  article  must  be  strictly  observed. 

This  culture  can  be  practiced  at  all  seasons  of  the 
year,  under  the  conditions  that  you  have  (1)  a  cellar 
or  cave  where  the  temperature  is  rather  low  and  stable, 
about  55  to  60  degrees.  Below  this  temperature  the 
growtli  of  the  mushroom  is  too  slow,  while  with  a  higher 
temperature  no  mushrooms  will  grow.  In  this  cave 
the  humidity,  also,  must  be  constantly  maintained.  (2) 
The  element  necessary  for  their  culture  is  manure  from 
horses  that  work  hard,  and  whose  bedding  is  not 
changed  too  often.  Also,  for  manure  used  in  mushroom 
culture  the  bedding  should  be  of  wheat  straw,  or  second- 
best  oat  straw,  while  the  least  desirable  for  this  purpose 
is  barley  straw.  All  manure  older  than  two  weeks  must 
be  rejected,  because  in  this  time  it  has  already  started 
to  ferment.  When  in  possession  of  the  amount  needed 
for  your  cave,  the  process  of  fermentation  is  started. 
(8)  Good  spawn  from  a  reliable  house. 

In  possession  of  these  three  conditions,  have  the 
manure  unloaded  at  your  cave,  with  the  water  handy  for 


238  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

sprinkling.  To  obtain  good  results  not  less  than  three 
cubic  yards  of  manure  should  be  worked.  If  less  is 
needed  in  your  case,  let  the  surplus  go  to  the  garden. 
Choose  a  spot  of  ground  which  is  hard  and  even,  on 
which  to  work  the  manure,  and  preferably  protected 
from  the  rains.  Every  forkful  should  be  well  shaken  out 
to  render  it  evenly  mixed,  and  laid  out  to  form  a  pile 
8  ft.  long,  3  ft.  wide,  and  1  ft.  high.  If  the  manure  is 
dry,  sprinkle  with  a  very  fine  sprinkler,  so  that  the  wet 
parts  are  on  the  outside,  while  the  dryer  material  stays 
inside. 

After  this  first  layer  is  made,  begin  a  second  on  top, 
and  so  continue  until  the  pile  is  4  ft.  high.  Tramp  this 
well  down  and  clean  off  the  sides  with  the  fork  to  pre- 
vent undue  loss  of  humidity.  This  operation  must  be 
repeated  three  times — in  summer  every  five  days ;  in 
winter,  every  eight  days.  The  manure  is  ready  for  the 
cave  when  it  has  lost  its  first  odor.  It  must  be  humid 
and  of  a  dark  brown  color,  and  wlien  pressed  between 
the  fingers  must  not  drip.  The  odor  nmst  have  changed 
and  resemble  more  the  odor  of  musliroonis. 

Before  installing  the  manure,  ])reparc  the  frames  on 
the  floor  of  your  cave,  for  whicii  })urpose  lumber  1x12 
is  used.  The  size  of  tlic  bed  must  not  exceed  4  ft.  in 
width,  as  a  larger  bed  might  give  an  excess  of  fermenta- 
tion, which  is  very  dangerous  in  this  culture. 

These  frames  arc  filled  in  layers  with  tiie  prepared 
manure,  shaking  it  up  again,  forkful  after  forkful. 
The  manure  will  now  undergo  another  process  of  fer- 
mentation. With  the  thermometer,  carefully  assure 
yourself  of  tlie  tem])erature  of  the  bed,  which  should  be 
after  eight  days  al)out  TO  to  75  degrees,  to  fail  to  60 


How  to  Have  a  Good  Garden  239 

to  65  degrees,  its  normal  temperature  when  the  bed  is 
ready  for  the  spawn. 

The  bricks  are  divided  into  eight  equal  pieces,  which 
are  inserted  into  the  bed  (lifting  tlie  manure)  2  inches 
deep,  12  inches  apart.  After  about  15  or  20  days  the 
spawn  will  be  genninating,  which  may  be  noticed  by  the 
bluish  specks  around  the  insertions.  This  is  the  sign 
to  cover  the  beds  with  a  layer  of  good  soil,  virgin  and 
calcareous  preferred.  This  layer  must  not  exceed  1^/^ 
inches,  after  which  the  bed  is  lightly  sprinkled. 

The  mushroom,  being  a  plant,  needs  air ;  therefore  a 
good  system  of  ventilation  must  be  established,  which  is 
worked  at  night.  The  ventilation  openings  are  made  on 
the  east  and  west  sides. 

The  passage  between  the  beds  must  be  sprinkled  when 
necessary  to  keep  the  humidity  constant.  The  beds 
must  be  sprinkled  very  moderately.  Before  the  crop 
appears,  it  is  better  to  not  sprinkle  at  all. 

It  takes  three  months  from  the  reception  of  the 
manure  till  the  first  picking,  and  the  harvest  lasts,  also, 
about  three  months.  By  dividing  the  space  a  system  of 
rotation  can  be  established  to  assure  a  continuous  pro- 
duction. 


CHAPTER    III 


THE    WINTER    FOOD    SUPPLY 


THE  true  home  gardener  will  not  be  content  merely 
to  draw  upon  his  garden  in  summer  and  autumn, 
but  will  produce  a  surplus  of  vegetables,  berries 
and  fruit  to  carry  his  family  through  the  winter  and 
well  into  the  spring. 

The  National  War  Garden  Commission,  in  dealing 
with  the  problem  of  food  supply,  put  great  emphasis 
upon  this  feature,  and  rapid  strides  were  made  in  popu- 
larizing all  forms  of  canning  and  preserving  as  a  house^ 
hold  and  community  art.  In  the  instructions  provided 
by  the  foremost  experts  the  Commission  spoke  of  five 
principal  methods,  but  recommended  above  all  others 
for  home  use  tlie  Single-Period  Cold-pack  Method,  be-" 
cause  of  its  simplicity  and  effectiveness.  That  method 
is  described  as  follows  in  the  manual  prepared  by  the 
Commission,  and  distributed  among  the  people  by  the 
million : 

The  prepared  vegetables  or  fruits  are  blanched  in 
boiling  water  or  live  steam,  then  quickly  cold-dipped 
and  packed  at  once  into  hot  jars,  the  contents  covered 
with  boiling  water  or  syrup,  and  the  jars  partially 
sealed  and  sterilized  in  boiling  water  or  by  steam  pres- 
sure. The  jars  are  then  sealed  tight,  tested  for  leaks 
and  stored. 

240 


The  Winter  Food  Supply  211 

The  Single  Period  Cold-pack  Method  is  a  simple  and 
sure  way  of  canning.  It  insures  a  good  color,  texture 
and  flavor  to  the  vegetable  or  fruit  canned.  In  using 
this  method,  sterilization  is  completed  in  a  single  period, 
saving  time,  fuel  and  labor.  The  simplicity  of  the 
method  commends  it.  Fruits  are  put  up  in  syrups. 
Vegetables  require  only  salt  for  flavoring  and  water  to 
fill  the  container. 

Another  advantage  is  that  it  is  practicable  to  put 
up  food  in  small  as  well  as  large  quantities.  The  house- 
wife who  understands  the  process  will  find  that  it  pays 
to  put  up  even  a  single  container.  Thus,  when  she  has 
a  small  surplus  of  some  garden  crop  she  should  take  the 
time  necessary  to  place  this  food  in  a  container  and 
store  it  for  future  use.    This  is  true  household  efficiency. 

A  serviceable  Single  Period  Cold-pack  canning  outfit 
may  be  made  of  equipment  found  in  almost  any  house- 
hold. Any  utensil  large  and  deep  enough  to  allow  an 
inch  of  water  above  jars,  and  a  false  bottom  beneath 
them,  and  having  a  closely  fitting  cover,  may  be  used  for 
sterilizing.  A  wash-boiler,  large  lard  can  or  new  gar- 
bage pail  serves  the  pui'pose  where  canning  is  to  be 
done  in  large  quantities.  Into  this  utensil  should  be 
placed  a  wire  or  wooden  rack  to  hold  the  jars  ofl^  the 
bottom,  and  so  constructed  as  to  permit  circulation  of 
water  underneath  the  jars. 

For  lifting  glass-top  jars,  use  two  button-hooks,  or 
similar  device.  For  lifting  screw-top  jars,  suitable  lift- 
ers may  be  bought  for  a  small  sum.  A  milk  carrier 
makes  a  good  false  bottom,  and  if  this  is  used  the  jars 
may  be  easily  lifted  out  at  the  end  of  the  sterilization 
period. 


242  City  Homes  on   Country  Lanes 

There  are  upon  the  market  outfits  on  the  order  of 
the  wash-boiler  or  pail  type  of  home-made  canner. 
These  are  excellent  and  are  especially  desirable  if  one 
has  considerable  quantities  of  vegetables  or  fruits  to 
put  up.  There  are  also  commercial  canners  convenient 
for  out-door  work,  having  fire-box  and  smoke-pipe  all  in 
one  piece  with  the  sterilizing  vat.  As  with  the  home- 
made outfit,  containers  are  immersed  in  boiling  water. 

Water  Seal  Outfits  are  desirable,  as  the  period  of 
sterilization  is  shorter  than  in  the  home-made  outfit, 
and  less  fuel  is  therefore  required.  The  outfit  consists 
of  two  containers,  one  fitted  within  the  other,  and  a 
cover  which  extends  into  the  space  between  the  outer 
and  the  inner  container.  The  water-jacket  makes  it 
possible  for  the  temperature  in  the  inner  container  to  be 
raised  several  degrees  above  212°  F. 

Canning  is  very  rapid  when  sterilization  is  done  in 
Steam  Pressure  Outfits.  There  are  several  canners  of 
this  type.  Each  is  provided  with  pressure  gauge  and 
safety  valve,  and  they  carry  from  5  to  30  pounds  of 
steam  pressure.  This  type  is  suitable  for  home  or 
community  canning. 

Aluminum  Pressure  Outfits  are  satisfactory  for  can- 
ning and  for  general  cooking.  They  carry  from  5  to 
30  pounds  of  steam  pressure.  Each  outfit  is  provided 
with  a  steam  pressure  gauge  and  safety  valve. 

At  high  altitudes  the  boiling  point  of  water  is  below 
212°  F.  At  moderate  elevation,  satisfactory  results 
may  be  obtained  in  the  use  of  the  hot-water  bath  by 
increasing  the  time  of  sterilization  10  per  cent  for  every 
600  feet  above  1,000.     To  insure  best  results  in  very 


The   Winter  Food  Supply  243 

high  altitudes,  however,  a  steam-pressure  canner,  or 
aluminum  pressure  cooker  is  recommended  to  be  used. 
This  type  of  canner  produces  a  temperature  up  to  250° 
F.  at  15  lbs.  pressure,  insuring  proper  sterilization,  and 
also  saving  time  and  fuel.  A  steam  pressure  canner 
may  be  bought  around  $20.  Several  families  may  use 
one  and  divide  the  cost. 

In  using  the  pressure  canners  and  aluminum  cookers 
the  following  formula  is  given : 

1.  Have  water  in  the  canner  up  to  the  false  bottom, 
but  not  above  it.  Keep  this  water  boiling  during  the 
time  that  packed  jars  are  being  placed  in  the  canner, 
and  add  water  occasionally  to  prevent  its  boiling  dry. 

2.  To  prepare  product  follow  instructions  as  here- 
inafter given.  As  each  jar  is  packed,  set  it  at  once, 
partially  sealed,  in  the  canner.  The  cover  of  the  canner 
may  be  put  in  position,  but  not  clamped. 

3.  When  all  of  the  filled  jai's  are  placed  in  the  canner, 
put  on  the  cover  and  fasten  opposite  clamps  moderately 
tight ;  then  tighten  each  pair  of  clamps  fully. 

4.  The  petcock  should  be  left  open  until  live  steam 
escapes  from  it.  The  canner  should  be  steam-tight, 
and  no  steam  should  escape  except  tlirough  the  open 
petcock.  When  live  steam  escapes,  close  the  petcock 
completely. 

5.  Begin  to  count  time  when  the  steam  gauge  regis- 
ters the  required  temperature. 

6.  Maintain  a  uniform  pressure  during  the  sterilizing 
period  by  setting  the  weight  on  the  arm,  when  the 
proper  pressure  is  registered  on  the  steam  gauge,  so 
that  surplus  steam  will  escape  at  that  desired  pressure. 


244  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

A  uniform  temperature  may  be  maintained  also  by  turn- 
ing down  the  flame  or  moving  the  canner  to  a  less  hot 
part  of  the  stove. 

7.  When  the  sterilization  period  is  complete,  do  not 
allow  steam  to  escape,  but  allow  the  canner  to  cool 
until  the  steam  gauge  registers  zero. 

8.  Open  petcock,  remove  the  cover  of  canner,  and 
take  out  the  jars.  As  each  jar  is  removed,  complete 
seal  at  once. 

For  home  use,  glass  jars  are  more  satisfactory  for 
canning  than  tin.  Tin  cans  are  used  chiefly  for  canning 
on  a  large  scale  for  commercial  purposes.  There  are 
many  jars  of  different  styles  and  prices  on  the  market; 
and  provided  the  seal  is  not  defective,  equally  good  re- 
sults may  be  obtained  from  all.  Glass  is  a  popular 
household  choice,  because  one  can  see  through  it,  and 
thus  have  some  idea  as  to  the  condition  of  the  contents. 
Glass  jars  may  be  used  for  years  if  properly  cared  for. 

All  types  of  jars  which  seal  readily  may  be  used. 
Jars  having  glass  tops  held  in  place  by  bails  are  espe- 
cially easy  to  handle  while  hot.  Screw-top  jars  are 
serviceable.  Glass  caps  held  in  place  by  separate  metal 
screw  bands  are  now  on  the  market,  as  well  as  the  one- 
piece  sort  of  former  years.  Vacuum  seal  jars  are  very 
easily  managed.  Tops  for  Economy  jars  should  be 
purchased  each  year.  The  composition  material,  which 
takes  the  place  of  rubber,  should  have  a  rubber-like  tex- 
ture. If  of  mealy  consistency  it  is  unfit  for  use  and  the 
top  will  not  make  a  tight  seal. 

The  color  and  shape  of  jars  are  not  of  first  moment, 
but  arc  to  be  considered.  Containers  made  of  white 
glass  should  be  used  if  the  product  is  to  be  offered  for 


The  Winter  Food  Supply  245 

sale,  as  blue  or  green  glass  detracts  from  the  appear- 
ance of  the  contents.  Wide-mouthed  jars  are  best  for 
packing  whole  products  and  are  easiest  to  clean.  Small- 
necked  bottles  can  be  used  for  fruit  juices.  Large- 
mouthed  bottles  can  be  used  for  jams,  marmalades  and 
jellies. 

Jars  should  be  tested  before  thev  are  used.  Some 
of  the  important  tests  are  here  given : 

1.  When  using  glass-top  jars,  first  examine  for 
cracks ;  then  run  a  finger  around  the  edge  of  necks  of 
jars,  and  if  there  are  sharp  projections,  file  them  off,  or 
scrape  them  off  with  an  old  knife.  If  left  on,  they  may 
cut  rubbers  and  interfere  with  perfect  sealing.  Place 
a  top  on  a  jar.  It  will  slip  from  side  to  side,  but  should 
not  rock,  when  tapped.  Rocking  tops  will  not  make  a 
tight  seal.  Sometimes  the  fault  is  with  the  top  and 
sometimes  with  the  neck.  Defective  jars  and  tops  when 
discarded  for  canning  purposes  may  be  used  as  con- 
tainers for  jams,  etc.  The  top  bail  should  go  into  posi- 
tion with  a  light  snap.  If  too  loose,  it  should  be  taken 
off  and  bent  slightly  inward  in  the  center.  If  too  tight, 
bend  outward. 

2.  In  screw-top  jars,  only  the  lacquered  or  vulcanized 
tops  should  be  employed.  Screw  the  top  on  tightly 
without  the  rubber.  If  the  tip  of  a  knife  or  fingernail 
can  be  inserted  under  the  rim  the  tops  should  not  be 
used  for  cold-pack  canning.  If  the  defect  is  very  slight, 
however,  it  may  be  remedied  by  pressing  a  knife  handle 
on  tlie  lower  edge  against  a  hard  surface,  thus  straight- 
ening the  offending  bulge.  Another  test  is  made  by  put- 
ting on  the  rubber,  screwing  the  top  on  tightly,  and 
then  pulling  the  rubber  out.     If  the  rubber  returns  to 


246  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

place,  the  top  does  not  fit,  and  should  not  be  used  on  the 
jar. 

3.  The  Vacuum  seal  jars  may  be  tested  in  the  same 
way  as  the  glass-top  jars.  See  if  the  tops  rock  if 
tapped,  when  placed  on  the  jar  without  fastening. 

Buy  new  rubbers  every  year,  as  rubbers  deteriorate 
from  one  season  to  another.  A  good  rubber  for  cold- 
pack  canning  must  be  such  as  to  stand  four  hours  of 
continuous  boiling,  or  one  hour  under  10  pounds  of 
steam  pressure.  The  combination  of  moist  heat  plus 
acids  and  mineral  matter  in  vegetables  and  fruits  tends 
to  break  down  tlie  rubbers  during  sterilization.  Rub- 
bers kept  in  a  hot  or  very  warm  place,  as  for  example 
on  a  shelf  near  the  kitchen  range,  will  deteriorate  in 
quality.  Be  very  particular  about  the  rubbers  used. 
Spoilage  of  canned  goods  has  been  traced  frequently  to 
the  use  of  poor  rubbers. 

It  is  always  well  to  test  rubbers  when  buying.  A 
good  rubber  will  return  to  its  original  size  when 
stretched.  It  will  not  crease  when  bent  double  and 
pinched.  It  should  fit  the  neck  of  the  jar  snugly.  It 
is  cheaper  to  discard  a  doubtful  rubber  than  to  lose  a 
jar  of  canned  goods. 

\'egetables  and  fruits  should  be  sorted  according  to 
color,  size  and  ripeness.  This  is  called  grading.  It 
insures  the  best  pack  and  uniformity  of  flavor  and 
texture  to  the  canned  prochu-t,  whicli  is  always  desir- 
able. 

The  most  important  ste})s  in  canning  are  the  pre- 
liminary steps  of  l)lanching,  cold-dipping,  i)acking  in 
hot,  clean  containers,  adding  hot  water  at  once,  then 
immediately    half-sealing    jars    and    putting    into    the 


The  Winter  Food  Supply  247 

sterilizer.  Spoilage  of  products  is  nearly  always  due 
to  carelessness  in  one  of  these  steps.  Blanching  is 
necessary  with  all  vegetables  and  some  fruits.  It  in- 
sures thorough  cleansing  and  removes  objectionable 
odors  and  flavors  and  excess  acids.  It  starts  the  flow 
of  coloring  matter.  It  reduces  the  bulk  of  greens  and 
causes  shrinkage  of  fruits,  increasing  the  quantity 
which  may  be  packed  in  a  container,  which  saves  stor- 
age space. 

Blanching  consists  in  plunging  the  vegetables  or 
fruits  into  boiling  water  or  exposing  them  to  steam  for 
a  short  time.  For  blanching  in  boiling  water,  place 
them  in  a  wire  basket,  or  piece  of  cheesecloth.  The 
blanching  time  varies  from  one  to  fifteen  minutes,  as 
shown  in  time  table,  and  the  products  should  be  kept 
under  water  throughout  the  period.  Begin  counting 
time  when  the  articles  are  first  placed  in  boiling  water 
or  steam. 

Spinach  and  other  greens  should  not  be  blanched  in 
hot  water.  They  must  be  blanched  in  steam  to  prevent 
the  loss  of  mineral  salts,  volatile  oils  and  other  valuable 
substances.  To  do  this,  place  them  in  a  colander  and 
set  this  into  a  vessel  which  has  a  tightly  .fitting  cover. 
In  this  vessel  there  should  be  an  inch  or  two  of  water, 
but  the  water  must  not  be  allowed  to  touch  the  greens. 
Another  method  is  to  suspend  the  greens  in  a  closed 
vessel  above  an  inch  or  two  of  water.  This  may  be 
done  in  a  wire  basket  or  in  cheesecloth.  Allow  the 
water  to  boil  in  the  closed  vessel  fifteen  minutes. 
Excellent  results  are  obtained  also,  by  the  use  of  a 
steam-cooker  or  steam-pressure  canner. 

When  the  blanching  is   complete,   remove  the  vege- 


248  City  Homes  on   Country  Lanes 

tables  or  fruits  from  the  boiling  water  or  steam,  and 
plunge  them  once  or  twice  into  cold  water — the  colder 
the  better.  This  latter  process  is  the  Cold  Dip.  It 
hardens  the  pulp  under  the  skin,  so  that  the  products 
are  not  injured  by  peeling.  It  also  sets  the  coloring 
matter.  Do  not  allow  the  products  to  stand  in  the 
cold  water. 

Always  blanch  and  cold-dip  only  enough  products  to 
fill  one  or  two  jars  at  a  time.  The  blanching  and  cold- 
dipping  should  follow  at  once  when  the  vegetable  or 
fruit  is  prepared,  and  the  packing  into  jars  should 
immediately  follow  the  blanching  and  cold-dip. 

Processing  is  the  sterilization  treatment  to  wliich 
products  are  subjected  after  packing  them  into  jars. 
As  soon  as  the  jar  is  filled  put  the  rubber  and  cap  in 
place  and  partially  seal  by  adjusting  top  bail,  or 
screwing  on  top  with  thumb  and  little  finger.  If  Econ- 
omy jars  are  used  the  top  should  be  held  in  place 
with  clamp.  The  jar  should  then  be  put  into  sterilizer 
at  once.  In  using  the  hot-water  bath  outfit,  count  the 
time  of  sterilization  from  the  time  the  water  begins  to 
boil.  The  water  in  the  sterilizer  should  be  at  or  just 
below  the  boiling  point  when  jars  are  put  in.  With  the 
Water  Seal  Outfit  begin  counting  time  when  the  ther- 
mometer reaches  214°  F.  With  the  Steam  Pressure 
Outfit,  begin  counting  time  when  the  gauge  reaches  the 
number  of  pounds  called  for  in  directions. 

When  the  processing  is  finisiied,  at  once  remove  and 
seal  each  jar. 

It  is  important  to  plan  your  work  so  that  whatever 
may  be  needed  will  be  ready  for  use.     Arrange  every- 


The  Winter  Food  Supply  249 

thing  conveniently  in  advance.     Preliminary  provisions 
include : 

1.  A  reliable  alarm  clock  in  a  convenient  place  (set 
to  ring  when  the  sterilizing  is  done). 

2.  All  the  necessary  equipment  in  place  before  be- 
ginning work. 

3.  Jars,  tops  and  rubbers  carefully  tested. 

4.  Fresh,  sound  fruits  and  vegetables. 

5.  Plenty  of  hot  water  for  sterilizer,  blanching, 
warming  the  jars,  and  for  pouring  into  packed  jars. 

(J.   Salt  or  syrup  at  hand. 

7.  Reliable  instructions  carefully  followed. 

8.  Absolute   cleanliness. 

It  must  not  be  forgotten  that  success  in  canning 
demands  careful  attention  to  every  detail.  No  step 
should  be  slighted.  Follow  one  set  of  instructions 
closely,  and  do  not  attempt  to  combine  two,  no  matter 
how  good  both  of  them  may  be.  To  attempt  to  follow 
two  sets  will  inevitably  cause  spoilage. 

The  experience  of  the  U.  S.  Department  of  Agri- 
culture during  the  last  five  years  indicates  that  75 
per  cent  of  the  spoilage  has  been  due  to  the  use  of  poor 
rubbers,  the  use  of  old  tops  on  screw-top  jars,  and 
improper  sealing,  resulting  from  the  use  of  defective 
joints,  springs,  and  caps.  xVnother  fruitful  source  of 
trouble  is  that  people  sometimes  undertake  to  can  stale 
or  wilted  vegetables.  No  amount  of  sterilizing  will 
overcome  staleness.  Careless  handling  is  also  sure  to 
cause  loss.  Absolute  cleanliness  in  every  step  is  essen- 
tial. 

In  sterilizing,  care  must  be  exercised  to  see  that  the 


250  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

temperature  is  high  enough,  and  maintained  for  the 
proper  length  of  time. 

In  other  words,  do  not  blame  the  method  for  failure. 
Follow  directions  carefully  and  prevent  failure. 

In  canning  by  the  Single  Period  Cold-pack  method, 
it  is  important  that  careful  attention  be  given  to  every 
detail.  Do  not  undertake  canning  until  you  have 
familiarized  yourself  with  the  various  steps,  which  are 
as  follows : 

1.  Vegetables  should  be  canned  as  soon  as  possible 
after  picking;  the  same  day  is  best.  Early  morning  is 
the  best  time  for  gathering.  Fruits  should  be  as  fresh 
as  possible. 

2.  Before  starting  work,  have  on  the  stove  the  boiler, 
or  other  holder  in  which  the  sterilizing  is  to  be  done,  a 
pan  of  boiling  water  for  use  in  blanching,  a  vessel  con- 
taining water  to  be  used  for  warming  several  jars  at  a 
time,  and  a  kettle  of  boiling  water  for  use  in  filling  jars 
of  vegetables ;  or,  if  canning  fruits,  the  syrup  to  be  used 
in  filling  the  jars.  Arrange  on  this  working  table  all 
necessary  equipment,  including  instructions. 

3.  Test  jars  and  tops.  All  jars,  rubbers  and  tops 
should  be  clean  and  hot  at  the  moment  of  using. 

4.  Wash  and  grade  ])ro(hict  according  to  size  and 
ripeness.  (Cauliflower  should  be  soaked  one  hour  in  salt 
water,  to  remove  insects,  if  any  are  present.  Put  berries 
into  a  colander  and  wash,  by  allowing  cold  water  to 
flow  over  them,  to  prevent  bruising.) 

5.  Prepare  vegetable  or  fruit.  Remove  all  but  an 
inch  of  the  tops  from  beets,  parsnips  and  carrots,  and 
the  strings  from  green  beans.  Pare  squash,  remove 
seeds    and    cut    into    small    pieces.      Large    vegetables 


The  Winter  Food  Supply  251 

should  be  cut  into  pieces  to  make  close  pack  possible. 
Remove  pits  from  cherries,  peaches  and  apricots. 

6.  Blanch  in  boiling  water  or  steam  as  directed. 
Begin  to  count  time  when  the  product  is  immersed. 

7.  Cold-dip,  but  do  not  allow  product  to  stand  in 
cold  water  at  this  or  any  other  stage. 

8.  Pack  in  hot  jars,  which  rest  on  cloths  wrung  out 
in  hot  water.  Fill  the  jars  to  within  I/4  to  V2  inch 
of  tops.  (In  canning  Lima  beans,  squash,  corn,  peas, 
pumpkin  and  sweet  potatoes  fill  the  jars  to  within  1 
inch  of  the  top,  as  these  vegetables  swell  during 
sterilization.  In  canning  berries,  to  insure  a  close  pack, 
put  a  two  or  three  inch  layer  of  berries  on  the  bottom 
of  the  jar  and  press  down  gently  with  a  spoon.  Con- 
tinue in  this  manner  with  other  layers  until  jar  is  filled. 
Fruits  cut  in  half  should  be  arranged  with  pit  surface 
down.) 

9.  Add  salt  and  then  boiling  water  to  vegetables  to 
cover  them.     To  fruits,  add  hot  syrup  or  water. 

10.  Place  a  new  wet  rubber  on  jar  and  put  top  in 
place. 

11.  With  bail-top  jar  adjust  top  bail  only,  leaving 
lower  bail,  or  snap,  free.  With  screw-top  jar,  screw 
the  top  on  lightly,  using  only  the  thumb  and  Httle  finger. 
(This  partial  sealing  makes  it  possible  for  steam  gen- 
erated witliin  the  jar  to  escape,  and  prevents  breakage.) 
On  vacuum  seal  jars  adjust  spring  securely. 

12.  Place  the  jars  on  rack  in  boiler  or  other  steril- 
izer. If  the  home-made  or  commercial  liot-water  bath 
outfit  is  used,  enough  water  should  be  in  the  boiler  to 
come  at  least  one  inch  above  tiie  tops  of  the  jars,  and 
the  water,  in  evaporating,  should  never  be  allowed  to 


252  City  Homes  on   Country  Lanes 

drop  to  the  level  of  these  tops.  In  using  the  hot-water 
bath  outfit,  begin  to  count  sterilizing  time  when  the 
water  begins  to  boil.  Water  is  at  the  boiling  point  when 
it  is  jumping  or  rolling  all  over.  Water  is  not  boiling 
when  bubbles  merely  form  on  the  bottom,  or  when  they 
begin  to  rise  to  the  top.  The  water  must  be  kept  boiling 
all  of  the  time  during  the  period  of  sterilization. 

13.  Consult  time-table,  and  at  the  end  of  the  required 
sterilizing  period,  remove  the  jars  from  the  sterilizer. 
Place  them  on  a  wooden  rack  or  on  several  thicknesses 
of  cloth  to  prevent  breakage.  Complete  the  sealing  of 
jars.  With  bail  top  jars  this  is  done  by  pushing  th^ 
snap  down;  with  screw-top  jars  by  screwing  cover  on 
tightly. 

14.  Turn  the  jars  upside  down  as  a  test  for  leakage 
and  leave  them  in  this  position  until  cold.  Let  them 
cool  rapidly,  but  be  sure  that  no  draft  reaches  them, 
as  a  draft  will  cause  breakage.  (If  there  is  any  doubt 
that  a  bail-top  jar  is  perfectly  sealed  a  simple  test 
may  be  made  by  loosening  the  top  bail  and  lifting  the 
jar  by  taking  hold  of  the  top  with  the  fingers.  The 
internal  suction  should  hold  the  top  tightly  in  place 
when  thus  lifted.  If  the  top  comes  off,  put  on  a  new 
wet  rubber  and  sterilize  15  minutes  longer  for  vegetables 
and  5  minutes  longer  for  fruits.)  With  screw-top  jars 
try  the  tops  while  the  jars  are  cooling,  or  as  soon  as 
they  have  cooled ;  and,  if  loose,  tighten  them  by  screw- 
ing on  more  closely.  Vacuum  seal  jars  should  be  placed 
upright  while  cooling,  and  tlie  clamp  removed  when  the 
jar  is  cool.  Then  lift  by  the  toj)  and  turn  upside  down, 
as  a  test  for  leakage. 

15.  Wash   and   dry   each   jar,   label   and   store.      If 


The'  Winter  Food  Supply  253 

storage  place  is  exposed  to  light,  wrap  each  jar  in 
paper — preferably  brown,  as  light  will  either  fade  or 
darken  the  color  of  products  canned  in  glass.  The 
boxes  in  which  jars  were  brought  afford  good  storage. 
Store  in  a  cool,  dark  place,  preferably  dry.  Exposure 
to  mold  will  cause  decay  of  rubber,  allowing  the  leak- 
age of  air  into  jars.  Paper  wrappings  prevent  mold. 
Care  should  be  taken  to  store  canned  vegetables  and 
fruits  where  they  will  be  protected  from  freezing.  If 
the  place  of  storage  is  not  frost-proof,  the  jars  should 
be  removed  to  a  warmer  place  during  severe  weather. 


254 


City  Homes  on   Country  Lanes 


Time  Table  for  Scalding,  Blanching  and  Sterilizing  of  Fruits  and 
Vegetables  by  One  Period  Cold-pack  Method 


Products 


■  O  «     a;  s,  u-  di 


£  O  "^  3 
>-    Oo   O 


Fruits  of  all  kinds 

Apricots    1  to  2 

Blackberries     No 

Blueberries Ko 

Cherries  (sweet)   No 

Dewberries   No 

Grapes No 

Peaches   1  to  2 

Plums    No 

Raspberries    No 

Strawberries    No 

Citrus  Fruits ly^ 

Cherries    (sour)    ......  No 

Cranberries    No 

Currants    No 

Gooseberries     No 

Rhubarb  (blanch  before 

paring)    1  to  2 

Apples   11/^ 

Pears   ly^ 

Figs    15" 

Pineapple    10 

Quince   6 

Special   Vegetables  and 
Combinations 

Tomatoes    1   to  3 

Tomatoes  and  corn   ...  T.  2;  C.  10 

Kgg-plnnt    3 

Corn  on  cob  or  cut  off  .  5 

Pumpkin     5 

Squash   5 

Hominy   5 

Cabbage  or  Sauerkraut  5 


Minutes        Minutes  Minutes  Minutes    Minutes 


16 
16 
16 
16 
16 
16 
16 
16 
16 
16 
12 
16 
16 
16 
16 

16 
20 
20 
40 
30 
40 


12 
12 
12 
12 
12 
12 
12 
12 
12 
12 
8 
12 
12 
12 
12 

12 
12 
12 
30 

2,5 
30 


10 
10 
10 
10 
10 
10 
10 
10 
10 
10 
6 
10 
10 
10 
10 

10 
8 
8 
25 
25 
25 


5 
5 
5 
5 
5 
5 
5 
5 
5 
5 
4 
5 
5 
5 
5 

5 

6 

6 

20 

18 

20 


22 

18 

15 

10 

90 

75 

60 

45 

60 

45 

45 

30 

180 

90 

60 

45 

90 

50 

40 

35 

90 

50 

40 

35 

120 

90 

60 

40 

90 

75 

60 

35 

The  Winter  Food  Supply  255 

Time  Table  for  Scaldhif/,  Bluncbinc/  and  Stenlizinc^  of  Fruitg  and 

Ve(jetabl('.H  by  One  Period  Cold-puck  Method 
Oreens    or    Pot    Herbs 

Asparagus    5  120  90  50  35 

Brussels  sprouts 5  130  90  50  35 

Cauliflower 5  120  90  50  35 

Pepper  cress   15  120  90  50  35 

Lamb's  quarters   15  120  90  50  35 

Sour  dock 15  120  90  50  35 

Smartweed  sprouts    ...  15  120  90  50  35 

Purslane  or  "Pusley"   .  15  120  90  50  35 

Pokeweed    15  120  90  50  35 

Dandelion   15  120  90  50  35 

Marsh  marigold    15  120  90  50  35 

Wild  mustard    15  120  90  50  35 

Milk       weed        (tender 

sprouts     and     young 

leaves)    15  120  90  50  35 

Pod    Vegetables 

Beans  (Lima  or  string)  5  120  90  60  40 

Okra    ".  5  120  90  60  40 

Peas   5  120  90  60  40 

Roots  and  Tubers 

Beets    6  90           75  60  35 

Carrots    6  90           75  60  35 

Sweet  potatoes 6  90           75  60  35 

Other     roots     and     tu- 
bers,   as    parsnips    or 

turnips    6  90  75  60  35 

Soups— all  kinds   —  90           75  60  45 

Shellfish     3  180  120  90  60 

Poultry  and  game  . .  20  210  180  150  60 

Flah    5  180  180  150  90 

Pork  and  beef   30  240  240  210  90 


CHAPTER    IV 

LIVESTOCK   FOE  THE   GARDEN   HOME 

IN  earlier  pages  the  claims  of  various  kinds  of  small 
livestock  logically  pertaining  to  the  home  in  a 
garden  have  been  set  forth  from  the  standpoint 
of  so  many  elements  entering  into  the  luxurious  table. 
Something  has  been  said  of  methods  as  related  to  the 
small  holding,  since  it  would  not  be  feasible  to  keep 
chickens,  for  example,  as  they  are  usually  kept  on  the 
farm.  The  true  garden  home  is  a  condensed  farm,  to 
the  extent  of  supplying  many  things  for  family  use: 
and  livestock  must  be  housed  and  fed  in  accordance 
with  this  principle. 

Housing  methods  have  been  touched  upon  in  preced- 
ing pages.  In  dealing  with  these  and  also  with  rations 
for  chickens,  squabs,  rabbits  and  goats,  I  have 
followed  formulas  supplied  by  the  Government,  or 
drawn  upon  the  experience  of  persons  with  whose  work 
I  am  familiar,  and  whom  I  know  to  have  been  especially 
successful.  There  are,  of  course,  many  different  ways 
of  housing  and  feeding  liens.  Elsewhere  I  have  spoken 
of  Cliarlcs  Weeks  and  his  methods  of  housing.  His 
suggestions  for  feeding  laying  hens  are  as  follows: 

Dry  Mash:  4  parts  cracked  wheat;  1  part  medium 
cracked  corn  (Indian  com  or  maize)  ;  1  part  good  qual- 
ity dried-beef  scrap;   1/4   P«-rt  soy  bean  meal   (coarse 

250 


Livestock  fur  ilie  Garden  Home  257 

ground)  ;  5/4  P^rt  oil  cake  meal  (linseed)  ;  5/4  part 
charcoal. 

Grain  mixture:  3  parts  whole  wheat  and  1  part 
Eg3'ptian  corn  (perhaps  Kaffir  corn,  where  Egyptian 
is  not  grown).  If  hulled  oats  and  barley  are  added 
to  this  in  same  proportions  as  Egyptian  corn,  it  will 
add  variety.  Mr.  Weeks  gets  best  results  by  keeping 
this  grain  before  his  hens,  the  same  as  the  dry  mash. 
He  has  a  hopper  with  two  compartments  of  equal  size — 
one  filled  with  the  dry  mash,  one  with  the  mixed  grain. 
He  never,  under  any  circumstances  throws  the  grain 
on  the  floor,  as  the  hens  will  cat  more  or  less  filth  and 
kick  up  a  dust  that  is  very  bad  for  them. 

Mr.  Weeks  gives  the  hens  a  variety  of  fresh  green 
feed.  The  three  best  are  kale,  wurzel  beets  and  alfalfa. 
Barley,  beets,  cabbage  and  rape  for  winter,  and  kale, 
beet-tops  and  alfalfa  for  summer  is  his  programme. 
He  says  you  must  have  plenty  of  rich  soil  and  good 
water  and  keep  the  green  stuff  growing  and  in  front  of 
your  hens  to  make  them  produce  the  eggs. 

Mr.  Clarence  Ray  King,  of  Hayward,  California,  one 
of  the  most  successful  producers  in  the  country,  uses 
this  ration  for  squabs :  Wheat,  Egyptian  corn,  milo 
maize,  small  yellow  corn,  dry  peas,  hemp  seed  and  buck- 
wheat, mixed  in  certain  proportions  which  vary  at  dif- 
ferent seasons.  For  example,  he  feeds  more  whole  corn 
in  winter,  because  it  is  very  heating.  A  little  lettuce 
once  a  week  is  nice,  but  not  of  vital  importance,  ac- 
cording to  Mr.  King.  Plenty  of  fresh  water  should 
always  be  on  hand,  as  they  like  to  take  frequent  baths. 

The  experience  of  Mrs.  W.  W.  Hcvener  as  an  incident 
of  acre-farming  has  been  referred  to  elsewhere.      She 


258  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

makes  the  following  suggestions  with  reference  to  the 
delicate  art  of  raising  turkeys : 

"Let  them  fast  the  first  day  after  hatching,  then  for 
two  weeks  feed  them  bread-crumbs,  hard  boiled  eggs 
(shell  and  all),  and  onion.  Feed  sparingly,  as  too  much 
is  sure  death.  However,  they  may  have  all  the  lettuce 
and  onion  they  will  eat.  They  must  have  grit,  char- 
coal and  pure  water  at  all  times.  When  two  weeks 
old,  mix  in  a  little  cracked  wheat,  and  about  six  weeks 
before  Thanksgiving,  start  them  on  corn."  Mrs. 
Hevener  started  with  five  turkeys  in  a  coop  10x12, 
letting  them  range  over  about  an  acre  of  ground,  when 
they  got  older,  allowing  them  to  roost  in  the  trees  at 
night.  (This  was  in  California.)  Later  she  had 
thirty  in  all. 

In  regard  to  rabbit  rations,  the  United  States  De- 
partment of  Agriculture  supplies  the  following: 

Clean  oats  (whole  or  crushed),  bright,  well-cured 
hay,  and  a  small  portion  of  some  kind  of  greens  daily  is 
the  steady  diet  used  in  most  rabbitries.  Crushed  barley 
may  be  substituted  for  oats ;  clover  or  alfalfa  may  be 
used  with  green  oats  or  timothy  hay ;  and  the  greens 
may  consist  of  carrots,  rutabagas,  prunings  from  apple 
and  cherry  trees,  and  plantain,  dock,  burdock,  dande- 
lion, cauliflower,  lettuce  or  lawn  clippings.  All  grass 
should  be  clean,  and  not  fed  Avhen  moldy  or  fermented. 
A  variety  of  feed  is  essential. 

Warm  mashes  should  be  given  daily  to  the  nursing 
doe  and  to  young  rabbits  for  a  time  after  they  are 
weaned.  All  rabbits  arc  benefited  by  warm  mashes  in 
very  cold  weather. 

The  quantity  of  grain  required  by  rabbits  depends 


LivegtocJc  for  the  Garden  Hovie  859 

on  their  age  and  condition,  and  also  on  the  kind  and 
quantity  of  other  feed  they  receive.  Some  rabbits  re- 
quire more  grain  than  others.  Only  by  noticing  the 
condition  of  each  animal  day  by  day  can  its  feed  be 
properly  regulated.  They  never  should  be  allowed  to 
become  heavy  with  fat  unless  wanted  for  the  table. 
Eighteen  or  twenty  young  rabbits  from  three  to  five 
months  old  having  a  pint  of  crushed  oats  or  barley  a 
day,  in  addition  to  plenty  of  dr\^  alfalfa  and  greens, 
will  grow  very  nicely. 

Fattening  rabbits  for  meat  may  begin  at  any  time 
after  they  are  10  weeks  old,  and  should  continue  3  weeks, 
the  animals  being  confined  in  small  quarters  to  prevent 
their  getting  too  much  exercise.  Reduce  the  propor- 
tion of  their  green  feed,  increasing  that  of  their  grain. 
By  gradually  replacing  half  the  usual  grain  ration  with 
corn  meal  tiie  rate  of  fattening  can  be  increased. 

Most  breeders  feed  rabbits  twice  daily,  giving  greens 
in  the  morning  and  dry  and  warm  mashes  in  the  evening, 
but  keep  a  supply  of  dry  hay  constantly  before  them. 
Rabbits  that  are  fed  two  or  three  times  a  day  should 
not  be  supplied  with  a  larger  grain  ration  than  they  can 
clean  up  in  a  short  time.  Water  should  be  given  every 
morning,  but  in  freezing  weather  it  should  be  removed 
v.hen  the  rabbit  has  finislied  drinking.  Salt  should  be 
supplied  with  the  oats  two  or  three  times  a  week ;  or  a 
small  piece  of  rock  salt  may  be  kept  inside  the  feeding 
pan. 

Hay,  oats,  or  other  coarse,  dry  feed  should  not  be 
fed  to  young  rabbits  before  they  are  weaned,  and  only 
limited  quantities  should  be  allowed  them  for  a  week 
afterward,  as  such  feed  eaten  in  excess  causes  indiges- 


260  City  Homes  on  Country  Lanes 

tion.  Too  much  green  feed  is  equally  injurious  to  young 
rabbits  during  this  period.  Should  digestive  troubles 
result  from  over-eating  either  class  of  food,  the  bowels 
may  be  regulated  by  bread  and  milk ;  and  an  occasional 
feed  of  dandelion  leaves  will  prove  beneficial. 

Cabbage  leaves  are  not  good  for  young  rabbits,  and 
should  be  fed  sparingly  to  adults  kept  in  hutches.  In 
open  runs  a  larger  variety  of  feed  may  be  used  with 
safety  than  under  hutch  management.  All  dishes  should 
be  cleaned  and  scaled  frequently. 

The  Government  uses  the  following  daily  rations  for 
goats  at  the  experimental  farm  at  Beltsville,  Maryland  I 

A  ration  of  grain,  consisting  of  -1  parts  cracked  corn; 
4  parts  oats  ;  2  parts  bran ;  1  part  oil  meal.  This  is 
the  average  per  cent,  although  it  varies  in  some  cases. 
For  roughage,  alfalfa  is  much  preferred,  but  any  hay, 
and  even  a  little  corn-fodder  is  all  right.  Beets,  tur- 
nips, carrots,  etc. — the  sort  of  stuff  there  is  usually  a 
surplus  of  in  the  family  garden — chopped  up,  makes 
good  feed.  Of  course  when  on  pasture  only  the  milch 
goats  get  grain.  Never  pasture  them  where  there  is 
laurel,  as  it  will  kill  them  to  eat  it. 

An  average  high-grade  goat  gives  4  lbs.  of  milk  a 
day  for  10  months  of  the  year.  Goats  thirty-one- 
thirty-scconds  pure  bred  are  eligible  to  registry. 
Saanens  are  preferred  to  Toggenburgs  at  Beltsville,  al- 
though there  is  little  difference,  except  that  the  Saanens 
are  ])erha])s  not  (juite  so  nervous. 

Not  much  is  known  about  the  intensive  pig;  but  one 
can  see  at  a  glance  that  if  pigs  are  to  figure  among  the 
livestock  of  a  Garden  Home,  there  must  be  not  only  an 
intensive  l)ut  an  exceedingly  sanitary  pig.     Some  years 


Livestock  for  the  d'ardrn  Home  S61 

ago  Dr.  A.  M.  Ranck  devised  an  odorless  pigpen  which 
received  the  hearty  connnendation  of  tlie  Department  of 
Agriculture  during  the  War,  when  the  movement  for 
home  production  was  at  its  height.  The  odorless  pig- 
pen was  fitted  with  a  Cx6  ft.  concrete  floor  inside,  with 
an  outside  concrete  feeding  floor  of  the  same  dimensions. 
The  pen  was  thoroughly  screened  with  mosquito  and 
fly-proof  wire.  To  the  feeding  floor  connected  a  tile 
drain  to  carry  off  the  refuse,  this  drain  being  also  con- 
nected to  the  bottom  of  a  large  wallowing  basin  to  be 
filled  with  pure  water  for  the  pig's  bath.  A  wooden 
plug  of  about  6  inches  in  diameter  was  used  to  stop  the 
outlet  in  the  bottom  of  this  basin ;  the  water-trough 
at  the  right  of  the  door  inside  the  pen,  being  sunk  into 
the  concrete  floor.  A  door  was  constructed  in  the  out- 
side pen  so  that  dirt  and  refuse  could  be  thrown  out 
with  a  small  shovel. 

The  pen  was  so  arranged  that  it  could  be  flushed  out 
every  day  from  an  inside  tap  to  which  a  hose  was 
attached ;  though  buckets  of  water  could  be  used  if 
there  were  no  hose  connections.  Ventilation  was  pro- 
vided by  three  doors,  opening  South,  East  and  West. 
The  house  was  located  within  30  yards  of  the  back  of 
the  residence,  for  convenience  in  carrying  the  kitchen 
waste  to  the  pigs. 

The  cost  of  the  house  was  as  follows : 

Lumber     $15.00 

15  sacks  of  cement    9.00 

2  sq.  yds.   gravel    4.00 

1    sq.   yd.   sand    iJ.OO 

Ilardw'are     1.50 

Labor    20.10 

$51.50 


262  City  Home»  on  Country  Lanet 

The  above  does  not  include  36  joints  of  tile  and  the 
labor  of  putting  in  the  drain.  Two  pigs  weighing  50 
and  54  lbs.  were  placed  in  the  pen  and  for  120  days 
an  average  of  2  quarts  of  corn  a  day  and  from  14  to 
40  lbs.  of  kitchen  waste,  such  as  potato  parings,  the 
outside  leaves  of  vegetables,  scraps  from  the  table, 
dishwater  and  skim  milk  was  fed.  The  pigs  gained  142 
pounds  weight,  and  were  killed  for  home  use. 


CHAPTER    V 

THE    BEST   TEACHERS EXAMPLE    AND    EXPERIENCE 

THERE  is  no  text-book  for  the  people  of  a  garden 
city  so  good  as  successful  example.  The  foun- 
ders of  such  communities  owe  it  to  themselves 
and  to  their  followers  to  see  that  this  mode  of  teaching 
is  provided  at  the  outset  of  the  undertaking. 

The  ideal  demonstrator  is  the  man  who  has  been 
through  the  experience  himself,  for  the  purpose  of  sat- 
isfying his  own  hunger  for  a  home-in-a-garden.  He 
must  be  both  believer  and  practitioner — even  a  devotee, 
if  you  please.  He  must  be  possessed  by  the  conviction 
that  of  all  the  jobs  a  heedless  civilization  has  left  un- 
done the  biggest  and  most  vital  is  the  job  of  making 
it  possible  for  every  ambitious,  industrious  family  to 
insure  itself  against  hunger  and  want,  as  prudent  men 
insure  themselves  against  other  risks. 

Find  such  a  man — there  are  many  to  be  had,  and 
there  will  be  many  more  in  the  future — establish  him  at 
the  very  beginning  in  a  demonstration  place  fitted  to 
stand  as  a  model  for  others  to  emulate,  and  the  standard 
of  a  thousand  garden  homes  is  set  up,  just  as  the  flag 
of  our  country  is  raised  on  the  Fourth  of  July.  This  is 
the  first  constructive  step  in  true  community-building. 
It  is  worth  all  the  books  that  could  be  written.  The  day 
will  come  when   such  demonsti-ation  places  will  be  as 

263 


264!  Citij  Homes  on   Country  Lanes 

common  as  public  school-houses ;  and,  indeed,  they  are 
indispensable  to  any  system  of  education  in  a  nation  of 
free  men. 

The  ideal  demonstrator  is  a  man  with  a  wife  who 
shares  with  him  both  the  ideals  of  the  garden  home,  and 
a  comprehensive  knowledge  of  its  technique.  This  is 
true  because  this  sort  of  a  home  is  in  the  highest  sense 
a  domestic  establishment.  I  love  to  think  of  it  as  the 
perfect  setting  for  domestic  happiness — this  enduring 
provision  for  food  and  shelter  in  the  midst  of  congenial 
neighbors.  To  make  it  precisely  that  is  the  crux  of 
the  demonstration. 

The  final  test,  the  conclusive  teaching,  comes  with 
experience.  The  best  text-book  and  the  best  demonstra- 
tion can  only  show  the  way.  There  will  be  varying  de- 
grees of  success ;  and  there  will  be  disappointments, 
ranging  all  the  way  from  partial  to  total  failure.  The 
end  to  be  aimed  at  is  good  average  success.  This 
largely  turns  upon  the  psychology  of  the  community, 
and  that  is  a  matter  which  depends  much  upon  the 
quality  and  spirit  of  leadership  in  various  departments 
of  the  community  life. 

It  has  been  well  said  that  leadership  is  never  con- 
ferred ;  it  is  assumed.  Happy  is  the  community  where 
it  is  assumed  by  the  right  men  and  women — by  those 
who  deeply  realize  tiiat  the  New  Earth  is  to  be  a  holy 
place,  and  that  the  opportunity  to  assist  in  its  evolu- 
tion, in  a  capacity  however  humble,  is  a  call  to  holy 
service. 


^66 


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INDEX 


Appendicitis  often  due  to  badly- 
balanced   food   rations,  p.    18. 

Back-to-land  movement  a  fail- 
ure, p.  15. 

Baker,  Hay  Stannard,  p.  41. 

Binder,  Dr.   Hudolph  M.,  p.  43. 

Burl)ank,  Luther,  quoted,  p.  104. 

Bussiere,  Adrian,  on  methods 
of  mushroom  culture,  p.   237. 

Calder,  Srnator,  rej)orts  on 
need   of  homes,  p.  212. 

Canning,  methods  of,  p.  240. 

Cape  Cod  District  compared 
with    California,   p.    100. 

Co-operative  stores,  wisdom  of, 
p.  214. 

"David  (Jrayson,"  pp.  41,  GO. 
De  Vries,  Prof.   Hugo,  quoted, 
p.   116. 

Free,     Miss     Mabel,     successful 

gardener,  p.  186. 
Frank,    Mr.    and    Mrs.    George 

B.,  work  of,  p.  117. 

Golden  Gate  Park,  p.  38. 
Gottsch,   John    \V.,   poultry   ex- 
perience of,  p.   131. 

Hall,  Bolton,  advocate  of  small 

holdings,  p.   221. 
Hartranft,  Marshall  V.,  quoted, 

p.  88. 
Health    in    city     and     country, 

p.  17-23. 


Hevener,      W.      AV.,      produces 

turkeys     intensively,    p.     147; 

feeding    methods,    p.    258. 
Hobden,     George,     garden     of, 

p.  119. 
Hookworm,  p.  18. 
Hoover,     Herbert,     in     aid     of 

I'.uropean  children,  -p.  35. 

Inf.iiil   mortality,  p.  19. 

Kiiu'aid,  Hem.  Moses  P.,  p.  208. 

King,  Clarence  Ray,  successful 
pigeon-iireeder,  p.  144;  feed- 
ing   ration,   p.   257. 

Kraft,  Miss  Kmma,  breeder  of 
(•hamjiion  Nubian  goats,  ]). 
186. 

Kropotkin,  Prince,  influence  of, 
p.  221. 

Lane,  Franklin  K.,  plans  for 
reconstruction,  j).  11;  in- 
augurates investigation  of 
rural  life,  p.  15;  Annual  Re- 
port of  1919,  quoted,  p.  66, 
"I  am  for  the  Chimes,"  p. 
180;  Soldier  Settlement, 
])lans  of,  p.  206. 

Land  tenure  not  discussed,  p. 
222. 

I/Ctchworth,  P'ngland,  Garden 
City  of,  p.  81. 

L.incoln,  Abraham,  quoted,  p. 
83. 


Malaria,        a        mosquito-borne 
disease,  p.  18. 


269 


270 


Index 


Massachusetts,      preponderance 

of  urban  population,  p.  14. 
Maternity,   deaths   from,   p.    19. 
Maxwell,    George    H.,    quoted, 

p.  81, 
Mead,  Dr.  Elwood,  influence  of, 

p.  207. 
Michigan,        depopulation        of 

agricultural    districts    in,    p. 

14. 
Middle   West,   rural   decline  in, 

p.   14. 
Milk  supply  purer  in  city  than 

in  country,  p.  17. 
Minnesota,     slight     increase     in 

number  of   farms,  p.   14. 
Mormon  Church,  leadership  of, 

p.  204. 
Mushrooms,  culture  of,  p.  237. 

National  War  Garden  Com- 
mission, p.  76. 

New  England  farm  abandon- 
ment, p.   14. 

New  York  State,  abandoned 
farms,  p.  15;  rural  and  ur- 
ban population  compared,  p. 
15. 

Ohio,  decrease  in  farm  popu- 
lation and  habitable  farm- 
houses, p.  14. 

Old-age  pension  for  Govern- 
ment workers,  p.  68. 

Pack,  Charles  Lathrop,  Chair- 
man National  War  Garden 
Coininissioii,  p.   76. 

Periodicals,  urban  iind  rural 
circulation  of  leading,  p.  28. 

Phair,  Grfirdon,  experiments 
with  potted  rabbit,  p.  137. 

Philo  poiiitry^  system,  p.   125. 

Pilgrims,  ciicap  land  near  where 
th«  y   landed,  p.  14. 

Pneumonia,  cause  of,  p.  18. 


Quick,  Herbert,  quoted,  p.  59. 

Red  Cross  assistance  to  city 
mothers,   p.  20. 

Reichardt,  Otto,  intensive  duck 
breeder,  p.   147. 

Religion  in  city  and  country,  p. 
29-31. 

Richards,  Miss  Irraagarde,  au- 
thority on  milk  goats,  p.  154. 

Rockefeller  Foundation,  social 
surveys   of,   p.    18. 

Ross,  Douglas  W.,  p.  47. 

Rouge,  Leon,  expert  mushroom- 
grower,  p.   164. 

Rural   Homes   Bill,  p.  207. 

Schools,  relative  advantages  of 
citv  and  country,  p.  23-27. 

Schu'feldt,  Prof.  C.  L.,  p.  97. 

Sewerage,  relation  to  health  o{, 
p.   18. 

Sherman,  Mrs.  G.  M.,  maker  of 
rabbit  fur  garments,  p.  141. 

Smoot,  Senator  Reed,  p.  207, 
208. 

Soils,  various  kinds  and  treat- 
ment of,  p.  227. 

Soldier  Settlement  legislation, 
p.  206. 

Tenant    farmers,   p.    15. 
Typhoid    fever,   p.    17. 

Weeks,  Charles,  poultry  system 
of,  126;  feeding  ration,  p.  256. 

Williams,  Dr.  Henry  Smith, 
(juoted,  \).   106. 

Wilson,  Wood  row,  quoted,  p.  79. 

Wisconsin,  slight  increase  in 
number  of  farms,  p.  14. 

Young,  Brigham,  leads  the 
pioneers  to  Salt  Lake  Valley, 
p.  203;  his  (jualities  as  an 
enij)ire-buil(ior,  j>.  204. 


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